Nancy Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated June 7, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Nancy Name Meaning

Fact: Nancy was the name of a main character in Charles Dickens’ novel “Oliver Twist.”

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A Deep Dive

Nancy Overview

Meaning

Grace, favour, pure

Gender

Girl

Origin

French, Hebrew, English

Etymology

Originally a diminutive form of “Anne” or “Annis,” which means “grace” in Hebrew.

Pronunciation

/ˈnæn.si/

Popularity

Nancy has been a popular name in the English-speaking world, particularly in the mid-20th century. Recently, Nancy’s popularity has declined, and it is currently outside the top 500 names in the USA.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

5 letters

Numerology

3 (Expressive, Social, Artistic)

Name Styles

Traditional, Classic, Vintage

Associated Traits

Graceful, kind, intelligent, nurturing

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Nancy is often associated with Saint Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary, and thus holds a connection to Christian religious traditions.

Name Day

July 26th
A Deep Dive

Nancy Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Nanette, Nancie, Nan, Nance, Nancee, Nanci, Nancilee, Nanon, Nannie

Common Nicknames

Nanny, Nancee, Nanette, Nanci

Diminutives

Nan, Nance, Nanc

Famous People

  • Nancy Reagan
    (American First Lady)
  • Nancy Sinatra
    (American Singer and Actress)
  • Nancy Pelosi
    (American Politician)
  • Nancy Drew
    (Fictional Character)
  • Nancy Cartwright
    (American Voice Actress)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Nancy Drew
    ("Nancy Drew," Novel Series)
  • "Nancy"
    (Song)
  • Nancy Botwin
    ("Weeds," TV Series)
  • Nancy Wheeler
    ("Stranger Things," TV Series)
  • "Nancy"
    (Film)
  • Nancy Callahan
    ("Sin City," Film)

Places

  • Nancy City
    (Grand Est, France)
  • Nancy Lake
    (Alaska, USA)
  • Nancy City
    (Kentucky, USA)
  • Nancy Creek
    (Georgia, USA)
  • Nancy Island
    (Wasaga Beach, Canada)

What Is the Meaning of Nancy?

Nancy means “grace,” “favor,” or “pure.” Frequently connected to an individual who is kind, gentle, and compassionate, often exuding a sense of warmth and friendliness.

What Is the Origin of The Name Nancy?

The name Nancy has its roots in Hebrew, French, and English. It originally started as a diminutive form of Anne in French and became popular in English-speaking countries during the 18th century. In English, it evolved from the medieval affectionate phrase “mine Ancy,” which was later shortened to Nancy.

Nancy Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Nancy in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#9452021#9922022#9412023
Top 3 Rankings#61950#71937#71938

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Nancy

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023941
(+51 from 2022)
279
(+14 from 2022)
0.01595
2022992
(-47 from 2021)
265
(-14 from 2021)
0.01478
2021945
(-49 from 2020)
279
(-16 from 2020)
0.01557
2020896
(+1 from 2019)
295
(-1 from 2019)
0.01669
2019897
(-64 from 2018)
296
(-30 from 2018)
0.01613
2018833
(+38 from 2017)
326
(+13 from 2017)
0.01753
2017871
(+28 from 2016)
313
(+3 from 2016)
0.01657
2016899
(-86 from 2015)
310
(-34 from 2015)
0.01601
2015813
(-58 from 2014)
344
(-27 from 2014)
0.01763
2014755
(-67 from 2013)
371
(-40 from 2013)
0.01896
2013688
(-37 from 2012)
411
(-26 from 2012)
0.02132
2012651
(-114 from 2011)
437
(-104 from 2011)
0.02253
2011537
(-18 from 2010)
541
(-33 from 2010)
0.02792
2010519
(-56 from 2009)
574
(-93 from 2009)
0.02928
2009463
(-84 from 2008)
667
(-191 from 2008)
0.03294
2008379
(-17 from 2007)
858
(-45 from 2007)
0.04119
2007362
(-38 from 2006)
903
(-114 from 2006)
0.04266
2006324
(-7 from 2005)
1017
No change from 2005
0.04865
2005317
(-28 from 2004)
1017
(-133 from 2004)
0.05011
2004289
(-22 from 2003)
1150
(-29 from 2003)
0.05699
2003267
(-38 from 2002)
1179
(-190 from 2002)
0.05876
2002229
(-6 from 2001)
1369
(-51 from 2001)
0.06932
2001223
(+9 from 2000)
1420
(+42 from 2000)
0.07168
2000232
(-7 from 1999)
1378
(-43 from 1999)
0.06905
1999225
(-18 from 1998)
1421
(-59 from 1998)
0.07299
1998207
(-10 from 1997)
1480
(-45 from 1997)
0.07635
1997197
(-25 from 1996)
1525
(-300 from 1996)
0.07987
1996172
(-13 from 1995)
1825
(-176 from 1995)
0.09519
1995159
(-15 from 1994)
2001
(-188 from 1994)
0.10413
1994144
(+12 from 1993)
2189
(+203 from 1993)
0.11229
1993156
(-14 from 1992)
1986
(-199 from 1992)
0.10073
1992142
(-17 from 1991)
2185
(-313 from 1991)
0.10900
1991125
(+6 from 1990)
2498
(+113 from 1990)
0.12285
1990131
(-3 from 1989)
2385
(+42 from 1989)
0.11609
1989128
(-7 from 1988)
2343
(-4 from 1988)
0.11761
1988121
(+5 from 1987)
2347
(+112 from 1987)
0.12204
1987126
(-10 from 1986)
2235
(-191 from 1986)
0.11925
1986116
(-8 from 1985)
2426
(-183 from 1985)
0.13146
1985108
(+5 from 1984)
2609
(+122 from 1984)
0.14131
1984113
No change from 1983
2487
(-33 from 1983)
0.13791
1983113
(-7 from 1982)
2520
(-287 from 1982)
0.14081
1982106
(-5 from 1981)
2807
(-105 from 1981)
0.15472
1981101
(+9 from 1980)
2912
(+107 from 1980)
0.16282
1980110
(-3 from 1979)
2805
(-60 from 1979)
0.15753
1979107
(-10 from 1978)
2865
(-180 from 1978)
0.16625
197897
(-8 from 1977)
3045
(-176 from 1977)
0.18523
197789
(-2 from 1976)
3221
(-60 from 1976)
0.19581
197687
(-5 from 1975)
3281
(-227 from 1975)
0.20873
197582
(-4 from 1974)
3508
(-384 from 1974)
0.22475
197478
(-1 from 1973)
3892
(-52 from 1973)
0.24849
197377
(-14 from 1972)
3944
(-873 from 1972)
0.25378
197263
(-11 from 1971)
4817
(-1394 from 1971)
0.29872
197152
(-2 from 1970)
6211
(-851 from 1970)
0.35439
197050
(-5 from 1969)
7062
(-839 from 1969)
0.38551
196945
(-6 from 1968)
7901
(-1059 from 1968)
0.44822
196839
(-2 from 1967)
8960
(-1307 from 1967)
0.52407
196737
(-4 from 1966)
10267
(-1463 from 1966)
0.59802
196633
(-1 from 1965)
11730
(-526 from 1965)
0.66808
196532
(-6 from 1964)
12256
(-2439 from 1964)
0.67066
196426
(-3 from 1963)
14695
(-1575 from 1963)
0.75076
196323
(-4 from 1962)
16270
(-1751 from 1962)
0.81838
196219
(-3 from 1961)
18021
(-2707 from 1961)
0.88910
196116
(-1 from 1960)
20728
(-1164 from 1960)
0.99791
196015
(-1 from 1959)
21892
(-1183 from 1959)
1.05263
195914
(-2 from 1958)
23075
(-1743 from 1958)
1.11012
195812
(-1 from 1957)
24818
(-2700 from 1957)
1.20140
195711
No change from 1956
27518
(-1265 from 1956)
1.31155
195611
(-2 from 1955)
28783
(-1242 from 1955)
1.39755
19559
No change from 1954
30025
(-243 from 1954)
1.49758
19549
(-1 from 1953)
30268
(-350 from 1953)
1.52036
19538
(-1 from 1952)
30618
(-1121 from 1952)
1.58683
19527
No change from 1951
31739
(+1393 from 1951)
1.66872
19517
(-1 from 1950)
30346
(+729 from 1950)
1.64275
19506
(+1 from 1949)
29617
(+369 from 1949)
1.68419
19497
No change from 1948
29248
(-163 from 1948)
1.66606
19487
No change from 1947
29411
(-3033 from 1947)
1.68769
19477
No change from 1946
32444
(+4099 from 1946)
1.78473
19467
No change from 1945
28345
(+6888 from 1945)
1.75739
19457
No change from 1944
21457
(-1760 from 1944)
1.59400
19447
(+2 from 1943)
23217
(-770 from 1943)
1.69898
19439
(-1 from 1942)
23987
(+660 from 1942)
1.67110
19428
No change from 1941
23327
(+2442 from 1941)
1.67763
19418
(-1 from 1940)
20885
(+1149 from 1940)
1.67617
19407
No change from 1939
19736
(+12 from 1939)
1.67064
19397
No change from 1938
19724
(+773 from 1938)
1.73922
19387
No change from 1937
18951
(+1879 from 1937)
1.66026
19377
(+1 from 1936)
17072
(+318 from 1936)
1.54940
19368
(+1 from 1935)
16754
(+2210 from 1935)
1.55481
19359
(+1 from 1934)
14544
(+1024 from 1934)
1.33828
193410
(+1 from 1933)
13520
(+1651 from 1933)
1.24914
193311
(+2 from 1932)
11869
(+922 from 1932)
1.13466
193213
(+4 from 1931)
10947
(+911 from 1931)
0.98952
193117
(+7 from 1930)
10036
(+969 from 1930)
0.90929
193024
(+8 from 1929)
9067
(+2195 from 1929)
0.77731
192932
(+11 from 1928)
6872
(+1335 from 1928)
0.59367
192843
(+13 from 1927)
5537
(+515 from 1927)
0.46314
192756
(+1 from 1926)
5022
(+456 from 1926)
0.40617
192657
(+3 from 1925)
4566
(+241 from 1925)
0.37117
192560
(+9 from 1924)
4325
(+336 from 1924)
0.34242
192469
(+6 from 1923)
3989
(+316 from 1923)
0.30787
192375
(+3 from 1922)
3673
(+155 from 1922)
0.29326
192278
(+9 from 1921)
3518
(+195 from 1921)
0.28199
192187
(+8 from 1920)
3323
(+341 from 1920)
0.25967
192095
(+5 from 1919)
2982
(+354 from 1919)
0.23970
1919100
(+2 from 1918)
2628
(+118 from 1918)
0.22373
1918102
(-4 from 1917)
2510
(+99 from 1917)
0.20876
191798
(+4 from 1916)
2411
(+245 from 1916)
0.21456
1916102
No change from 1915
2166
(+179 from 1915)
0.19950
1915102
No change from 1914
1987
(+412 from 1914)
0.19407
1914102
No change from 1913
1575
(+285 from 1913)
0.19771
1913102
(+6 from 1912)
1290
(+212 from 1912)
0.19697
1912108
(+2 from 1911)
1078
(+251 from 1911)
0.18373
1911110
(-5 from 1910)
827
(+16 from 1910)
0.18718
1910105
(+13 from 1909)
811
(+201 from 1909)
0.19331
1909118
(-9 from 1908)
610
(-41 from 1908)
0.16572
1908109
(+4 from 1907)
651
(+69 from 1907)
0.18362
1907113
(-1 from 1906)
582
(+25 from 1906)
0.17248
1906112
(+6 from 1905)
557
(+22 from 1905)
0.17771
1905118
(-3 from 1904)
535
(+27 from 1904)
0.17266
1904115
(-6 from 1903)
508
(-19 from 1903)
0.17371
1903109
(-6 from 1902)
527
(-44 from 1902)
0.18943
1902103
(-1 from 1901)
571
(+52 from 1901)
0.20369
1901102
(-3 from 1900)
519
(-154 from 1900)
0.20415
190099
(+8 from 1899)
673
(+198 from 1899)
0.21181
1899107
(-1 from 1898)
475
(-71 from 1898)
0.19193
1898106
(-10 from 1897)
546
(-7 from 1897)
0.19916
189796
No change from 1896
553
(+26 from 1896)
0.22274
189696
(-3 from 1895)
527
(-39 from 1895)
0.20913
189593
(+5 from 1894)
566
(+51 from 1894)
0.22905
189498
(-10 from 1893)
515
(-23 from 1893)
0.21825
189388
(-7 from 1892)
538
(-53 from 1892)
0.23886
189281
(+2 from 1891)
591
(+68 from 1891)
0.26277
189183
(+1 from 1890)
523
(+11 from 1890)
0.26607
189084
(+2 from 1889)
512
(+42 from 1889)
0.25389
188986
(-10 from 1888)
470
(-112 from 1888)
0.24839
188876
(-5 from 1887)
582
(+71 from 1887)
0.30721
188771
(+1 from 1886)
511
(+19 from 1886)
0.32878
188672
(-5 from 1885)
492
(-35 from 1885)
0.32003
188567
(+1 from 1884)
527
(+7 from 1884)
0.37127
188468
(+3 from 1883)
520
(+108 from 1883)
0.37795
188371
(-4 from 1882)
412
(-27 from 1882)
0.34316
188267
(-8 from 1881)
439
(+10 from 1881)
0.37945
188159
(+3 from 1880)
429
(+19 from 1880)
0.43397
188062
First SSA data recorded
410
First SSA data recorded
0.42006

American States Popularity Rankings for Nancy

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#8732021#10272022#10462023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#7812021#7602022#8002023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#4882021#5652022#3532023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#14592019#8942020#12792021

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#8202021#9962022#16142023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#14862016#14042019#9422022

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#7422021#9562022#11142023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#9262014#9462018#9482023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#11252020#10122021#10172023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#7402021#8032022#6242023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#7972020#9142022#6352023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#8342019#10622020#10872021

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#7212021#6362022#12942023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#8232017#6812018#5042019

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#8172019#10432020#10512022

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#10862021#11052022#9712023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#6202021#8272022#6312023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#10512021#16912022#9122023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#6632017#6582019#4692020

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#11772021#13092022#10832023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#4872005#4992006#5872008

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#8842021#9042022#8492023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#12022018#12042020#7422023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#2781993#2671994#2661996

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#6472019#8982022#8992023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#8122021#9822022#7892023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#5092009#6832014#5512023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#5142009#8342011#7012022

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#6852020#6242021#5902023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#8512015#6672019#9672020

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#5932004#4922006#6772007

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#9722009#5432010#6552016

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#3132003#4462004#4882013

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#2422006#5582008#4742009

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1971983#2561985#2571989

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1802004#2202008#2812013

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1501991#2021993#1651994

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#11602019#9062020#9072022

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#5442016#6552018#5592020

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1941981#2081984#2481988

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1791983#1981984#1991985

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#4952005#3512006#4822011

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1301981#1871983#2121985

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#1942003#4282005#3362008

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1801980#1741981#1561982

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#951973#791975#1491978

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1351982#1281985#1701989

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2061988#1991989#3091991

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#961978#1601979#1531982

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#6552008#2582009#5212011

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1571983#1271986#1611988

Popularity Rankings for Nancy in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#642019#662020#652021

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#1042021#1352022#1262023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#2282021#1572022#1482023

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#1561993#1781994#1851995

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina flagArgentina#1671995#1681996#1861997

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#1801975#2001976#2001977

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#2452021#2602022#3232023

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#5872004#5522006#3042008

Popularity in Mexico

Mexico flagMexico#3362020#3252021

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#3522002#4102004#4212006

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#3992008#4422009

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#4382007

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#5822008#5822009#4552011

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#6312022#5902023

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#7852020#7202021#8812022

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#8562013#9142015#9742020

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Nancy a Name for Boys or Girls?

Nancy is generally considered a girl’s name due to its elegant and timeless appeal, often associated with grace and kindness.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Nancy

Nancy in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Nancy Reagan (First Lady, 1921–2016): The wife of President Ronald Reagan and First Lady of the United States from 1981 to 1989.
  • Nancy Sinatra (Singer, born 1940): An American singer and actress famous for her hit song "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'."
  • Nancy Pelosi (Politician, born 1940): An American politician who has served as the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.
  • Nancy Drew (Fictional Character, born 1930): A fictional teenage amateur sleuth in a series of mystery novels created by publisher Edward Stratemeyer.
  • Nancy Cartwright (Voice Actress, born 1957): An American actress and voice actress best known for voicing Bart Simpson on "The Simpsons."
  • Nancy Wilson (Musician, born 1954): An American musician and member of the rock band Heart.
  • Nancy Grace (Television Host, born 1959): An American legal commentator and television journalist known for her work on Court TV and HLN.
  • Nancy Kerrigan (Figure Skater, born 1969): An American former figure skater and Olympic medalist.
  • Nancy Meyers (Director, born 1949): An American film director, producer, and screenwriter recognized for movies like "The Parent Trap" and "Something's Gotta Give."
  • Nancy Ajram (Singer, born 1983): A Lebanese singer and television personality celebrated for her pop music career.
  • Nancy Drew ("Nancy Drew," 1930 Novel Series): A teenage amateur detective known for her intelligence and resourcefulness in solving mysteries.
  • "Nancy" (1965 Song by Frank Sinatra): A sentimental song dedicated to Sinatra's daughter, Nancy.
  • Nancy Botwin ("Weeds," 2005 TV Series): A suburban mother who starts selling marijuana to support her family after her husband's death.
  • Nancy Wheeler ("Stranger Things," 2016 TV Series): A high school student who becomes involved in the supernatural events in her town.
  • "Nancy" (2008 Film): A drama about a woman named Nancy who struggles with her identity and relationships.
  • Nancy Callahan ("Sin City," 2005 Film): A stripper with a heart of gold who becomes a key figure in the crime-ridden city.
  • Nancy Thompson ("A Nightmare on Elm Street," 1984 Film Series): A brave teenager who battles the dream-stalking killer Freddy Krueger.
  • "Nancy from Now On" (2013 Song by Father John Misty): A song about a complex relationship and personal reflection.
  • Nancy Archer ("Attack of the 50 Foot Woman," 1958 Film): A wealthy woman who grows to giant size after an encounter with an alien, seeking revenge on her cheating husband.
  • Nancy Marchand ("The Sopranos," 1999 TV Series): Plays Livia Soprano, the manipulative and domineering mother of mob boss Tony Soprano.
  • Nancy Spungen ("Sid and Nancy," 1986 Film): The troubled girlfriend of Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious, known for their tumultuous relationship.
  • Nancy City (Grand Est, France): A historic city known for its beautiful 18th-century architecture and the UNESCO-listed Place Stanislas.
  • Nancy Lake (Alaska, USA): A popular lake in the Nancy Lake State Recreation Area, known for its fishing, canoeing, and scenic beauty.
  • Nancy City(Kentucky, USA): A community located eight miles west of Somerset in Pulaski County, Kentucky.
  • Nancy Creek (Georgia, USA): A creek in Atlanta known for its picturesque views and recreational opportunities.
  • Nancy Island (Wasaga Beach, Canada): A charming historic site nestled in the heart of Wasaga, just a few minutes' walk from the beach.
  • Nancy Mountain (South Carolina, USA): A mountain in Oconee County, known for its hiking trails and panoramic views.
  • Nancy River (Western Australia, Australia): A river in Western Australia known for its natural beauty and outdoor activities like kayaking and fishing.

Similar Names to Nancy

  • Nara
  • Naya
  • Nyssa
  • Nanaya
  • Nadine

Sibling Names for Nancy