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Ace
Meaning: one; excellence · Origin: English · Gender: usually a boy's name
Origin & history
Ace is an English word name meaning a playing card of highest value or someone excellent. It began as a nickname and became a modern given name.
Popularity of Ace in the US, 1880–2025
2025: 2,239 US baby boys named Ace — #164 for boys · Peak: 2,492 in 2022 · 1950: 14 · 2000: 54 · 2020: 1,912
Source: US Social Security Administration (SSA) national baby-name data, 1880–2025 (names.zip). Counts are babies of that gender given exactly this spelling each year; SSA leaves out a name in any year with fewer than 5 births.
How to pronounce Ace
AYS · IPA /eɪs/ (common American English pronunciation)
Language of origin
English word name — one, excellent person
How the meaning and use of Ace developed
Ace began as a word for the playing-card one and a skilled person, then became a modern nickname and given name.
Sibling names that go well with Ace
Sister: Blake · Stevie
Brother: Tate · Jett
Our editorial suggestions — similar era, style and length — chosen from names with full pages on this site.
Nicknames
Acy
Ace name art
A free preview of a printable “Ace” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.
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FAQ
What does the name Ace mean?
Ace means “one; excellence”. It comes from English.
How do you pronounce Ace?
Ace is usually pronounced AYS (/eɪs/).
Is Ace a popular name?
In 2025, Ace ranked #164 among boys' names in the United States, given to 2,239 baby boys, according to US Social Security Administration data. Its peak year was 2022 (2,492 babies).
What are nicknames for Ace?
Acy.
What are good sibling names for Ace?
Sister: Blake, Stevie. Brother: Tate, Jett.
Similar names
Edward · Stanley · Graham · Zane · Beckett · Dean
Browse: English names · all origins & themes
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Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.