"Divine grace, elegance, goodwill"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
Grace
Pronunciation: [ gr-AYS ]
Girl Name
#40 Most Popular
Steady
1 Syllable
Simple, luminous, and endlessly elegant
English
Irish
Scottish
American
Classic
Elegant
Gentle
Spiritual
Traditional
Meaning & Origin
"From Latin 'gratia' meaning grace or favor; a virtue name widely used in Christian tradition"
Origin: English
Language: English
"grace, divine favor"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
"charm, elegance"
Origin: Old French
Language: French
The Story of Grace
Grace derives from the Latin 'gratia', meaning favor, thanks, or charm. In Christianity, 'grace' refers to the free and unmerited favor of God — one of the most central concepts in Christian theology. The name was popularized by Puritan settlers in 17th-century America who favored virtue names, and it has maintained its gentle, luminous quality across centuries.
Grace experienced a major revival in the 1990s and 2000s after decades of decline. Princess Grace of Monaco (Grace Kelly) kept the name glamorous through the mid-20th century, while a new generation of parents embraced its simple elegance as a reaction against more elaborate names.
In Christian tradition, grace represents divine favor and salvation. The 'Three Graces' of Greek mythology — Euphrosyne, Thalia, and Aglaea — personified charm, beauty, and creativity. In Celtic tradition, Grace O'Malley (Gráinne Mhaol) was a legendary 16th-century Irish pirate queen.
Fun Facts
- 'Amazing Grace' is one of the most recorded songs in history, with over 11,000 versions
- Grace Kelly became Princess Grace of Monaco in 1956, one of the most famous name-bearers
- The word 'gracious', 'grateful', and 'grace' all share the Latin root 'gratia'
Grace in Other Languages
Irish
Gráinne
Latin
Gratia
French
Grâce
Italian
Grazia
Spanish
Gracia
Portuguese
Graça
Famous People Named Grace
G
Grace Kelly
Actor
1929
Academy Award-winning American actress who became Princess of Monaco after marrying Prince Rainier III
G
Grace Hopper
Scientist
1906
American computer scientist and US Navy rear admiral who invented one of the first compiler tools
G
Grace Adler Fictional
Other
The warm, witty protagonist of Will & Grace, the beloved NBC sitcom running from 1998 to 2020
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #40
- Total SSA Count
- 5,002
- Cultural Origins
- English Irish Scottish American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Gracie
Gray
Pairs Well With
Grace Elizabeth
Grace Anne
Grace Marie
Grace Louise
Grace Eleanor
Grace Victoria
Grace Isabelle
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Grace is also used as a boy name, ranked #14204.
View Grace as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Grace
What does the name Grace mean?
"Divine grace, elegance, goodwill" (from Latin). "From Latin 'gratia' meaning grace or favor; a virtue name widely used in Christian tradition" (from English). "grace, divine favor" (from Latin). "charm, elegance" (from Old French). Grace derives from the Latin 'gratia', meaning favor, thanks, or charm. In Christianity, 'grace' refers to the free and unmerited favor of God — one of the most central concepts in Christian theology. The name was popularized by Puritan settlers in 17th-century America who favored virtue names, and it has maintained its gentle, luminous quality across centuries.
What is the origin of the name Grace?
Grace has Latin, English, Old French, Irish, Scottish, and American origins. In Latin, it means "Divine grace, elegance, goodwill". In English, it means "From Latin 'gratia' meaning grace or favor; a virtue name widely used in Christian tradition". In Latin, it means "grace, divine favor". In Old French, it means "charm, elegance".
Is Grace a boy or girl name?
Grace is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #40. As a boy name, it is ranked #14204. Grace is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Grace?
Grace is pronounced gr-AYS.
How popular is the name Grace?
Grace is currently ranked #40 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Grace?
Common nicknames for Grace include Gracie and Gray.
What are good middle names for Grace?
Popular middle name pairings include Grace Elizabeth, Grace Anne, Grace Marie, Grace Louise, Grace Eleanor, Grace Victoria, and Grace Isabelle.
What are good sibling names for Grace?
Names that pair well with Grace as siblings include Charlotte, Eleanor, Violet, Henry, James, Oliver, and Clara.
How many syllables does Grace have?
Grace has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Grace a common or rare name?
Grace is a very popular name, ranked #40 among girl names in the United States.
About the Name Grace
Grace is a girl name with English, Irish, Scottish, and American origins . The name means "Divine grace, elegance, goodwill" in Latin .
Is Grace a boy or girl name? Grace is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #40 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #14,204. Grace is more commonly used as a girl name.
Grace is currently ranked #40 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Grace has 1 syllable and is pronounced gr-AYS, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Grace include Gracie and Gray. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Grace include Gracie, Gracelynn, Gracelyn, Graciela, Gracyn . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.