Lacey

♀ Girl

Pronounced LAY-see /ˈleɪ.si/High

Meaning: From the Norman French surname de Laci, from a place called Lassy or Laci in Normandy; brought to England by the de Lacy family after the Norman Conquest of 1066; the modern association with lace fabric is secondaryHigh

In 30 seconds: Lacey is a pretty, familiar Norman-origin surname name with a lacy, feminine softness. Popular in the 1980s and 1990s, it has retained a comfortable, friendly presence and is appreciated by parents who want something breezy without being unusual.

💕 Browse more names

Origin HighOld French, Norman

MeaningFrom the Norman French surname de Laci, from a place called Lassy or Laci in Normandy; brought to England by the de Lacy family after the Norman Conquest of 1066; the modern association with lace fabric is secondary

U.S. rank (2025)#738 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births370 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1984

Total births (all-time)≈ 53,769

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Lacey is a Norman French surname derived from the place Lassy in Normandy. The de Lacy family came to England with William the Conqueror in 1066 and became powerful magnates. As a given name, Lacey developed in the United States as a feminine form of the surname.

Lacey became popular as a girls name in the United States in the 1970s–90s, appreciated for its delicate sound and the visual connection to lace. It has remained in steady use, offering a softer alternative to Casey and Macy.

Did you know? The de Lacy family, who brought the name Lacey to England after the Norman Conquest, became one of the most powerful noble families in medieval England and Ireland, holding vast estates including the Honour of Pontefract in Yorkshire. The name thus carries centuries of Norman noble history.

Overall data confidence 83%

Behind the Name — Lacey — etymology and usageU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

LacyLacieLacee

Nicknames

LaceLaci

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Lacey…

Macy— shares the -acy/-acey ending and the same breezy, friendly American girls name feel

Gracie— fellow cheerful two-syllable -ie/-ey ending girls name with the same warm approachability

Stacy— parallel Norman/French-origin surname name that peaked in the same mid-century era

Casey— shares the -acy sound and the same casual, friendly American feminine name quality

Frequently Asked

What does the name Lacey mean?

Lacey means 'from Lassy,' a place in Normandy, France. It derives from the Norman noble family de Lacy who came to England in 1066.

How do you pronounce Lacey?

Lacey is pronounced LAY-see /ˈleɪ.si/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Lacey related to the word lace?

The association with lace fabric is secondary. The name Lacey derives from a Norman place name, not from the woven fabric.

Is Lacey a popular name?

Lacey peaked in the U.S. in the 1980s–90s and remains in steady use, appreciated for its soft, friendly sound.