Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Wallace
BoyScottish, French· “foreigner, Welshman”
- Meaning
- foreigner, Welshman
- Origin
- Scottish, French
- Pronunciation
- WAW-lihs
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #964
- US babies 2025
- 241
- Best rank
- #69 (1923)
- Peak year
- 1923
Meaning and origin of Wallace
Wallace is a Scottish and French name that means “foreigner, Welshman”.
Wallace comes from the Anglo-Norman French waleis, meaning "foreigner" or "Welshman," a term used for Celtic-speaking people in Scotland and England. The name is famous from Sir William Wallace, the Scottish hero who led resistance against English rule in the thirteenth century. As a given name, Wallace became common in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Wallace Stevens, the American poet, is another notable bearer. Pronounced WAW-lihs, it has a classic, dignified sound. Wally and Wal are nicknames. Wallace suits parents who want a vintage name with Scottish heritage.
Popularity over time
Wallace has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 121 different years. Its best national rank was #69 in 1923, the same year it reached its highest count of 2,803 babies. In 2025, 241 babies were named Wallace, and it ranked #964 nationally. That is 56% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #93 in 1920, #198 in 1950, #553 in 1980, #1,298 in 2000, #1,911 in 2010, and #964 in 2025. Of the 83,263 US boys named Wallace since records began, 25% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1930s come next, with 13,241 babies. Since 2010, 3,011 more have been named Wallace.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Leon, Arnold, Roland, Edwin, and Leroy.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Wallace ranked highest in South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Idaho.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | #300 | 5 |
| Wisconsin | #480 | 11 |
| Idaho | #487 | 5 |
| Oregon | #526 | 7 |
| Minnesota | #582 | 9 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 98% of US babies named Wallace over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Wallace is usually pronounced WAW-lihs, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with W and ends in “-ce”.
Middle names for Wallace
A few middle names that flow with Wallace: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Wallace
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Lists that include Wallace
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Wallace mean?
Wallace is a Scottish and French name that means “foreigner, Welshman”.
What is the origin of the name Wallace?
Wallace has Scottish and French roots. Wallace comes from the Anglo-Norman French waleis, meaning "foreigner" or "Welshman," a term used for Celtic-speaking people in Scotland and England.
Is Wallace a popular name?
Yes. Wallace ranked #964 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Wallace a boy or girl name?
Wallace is mainly a boy's name. About 98% of US babies named Wallace over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Wallace?
Wallace is usually pronounced WAW-lihs. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings