"from Massy (a place in Normandy)"
Macy
Pronunciation: [ m-AYS-ee ]
Does Macy flow with your last name?
Norman roots, American holiday spirit
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Similar Names
Names Like Macy
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Macy
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"weapon; club (mace)"
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Browse nicknames →Things to Know About This Name
- primarily used as a female name in modern US
The Story of Macy
Macy originated as a Norman French surname derived from the commune of Massy in Normandy, France. The place name itself may come from the Latin personal name Maccius or from the Old French mace, meaning a heavy club or weapon. The Macy family arrived in England with the Norman Conquest of 1066, and the name gradually shifted from a surname to an occasional given name. In America, the name is also inextricably linked to Rowland Hussey Macy, who founded the famous department store in 1858. As a boy's name, Macy follows the tradition of surnames-as-first-names.
Macy rose as a girl's name in the 1990s, buoyed partly by singer Macy Gray. As a boy's name it has been extremely rare, fitting the tradition of gender-neutral surname names like Casey, Tracy, and Riley that were originally masculine.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade — one of America's most beloved annual traditions since 1924 — has embedded the Macy name in American cultural consciousness. For a boy named Macy, this cultural touchstone provides a ready conversation piece.
Historical Record
Macy first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 327 babies have been named Macy in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Macy is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #29,839 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Rowland Hussey Macy tried and failed with four retail stores before founding Macy's in New York in 1858
- Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has run every year since 1924, except during three WWII years
Macy in Other Languages
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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Compare Macy with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #29,839
- Total SSA Count
- 5
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Macy
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Macy is also used as a girl name, ranked #663.
View Macy as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (American)
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Latin origin
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Greek origin
"anointed one"
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Old English origin
"washing place"
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Old English origin
"wise protector"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Macy
What does the name Macy mean?
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Is Macy a boy or girl name?
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What boy names are similar to Macy?
About the Name Macy
Macy is a boy name with American and English origins . The name means "from Massy (a place in Normandy)" in Old French/Norman .
Is Macy a boy or girl name? Macy is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #29,839 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #663. Macy is more commonly used as a girl name.
Macy is currently ranked #29,839 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Macy has 2 syllables and is pronounced m-AYS-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Macy include Mac and Mace. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Macy include Mack, Mac, Macklin, Mackenzie, Maceo . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
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Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
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Personalized wooden letters
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis