Meaning: Something handed down from the past; an enduring heritage; from Old French legacie, from Medieval Latin legacia (office of a legate, bequest)High
In 30 seconds: An English concept name meaning 'something handed down' or 'enduring heritage,' from Latin legacia (bequest). One of the most aspirational concept names — naming a child for the idea that their life will leave something valuable behind.
Legacy is an English concept name from Old French legacie, from Medieval Latin legacia (office of a legate, bequest, inheritance). As a given name it is a modern American concept name, similar to names like Destiny, Harmony, and Serenity.
Legacy appeared in U.S. birth data from the 2000s and ranked #954 for boys in 2024.
Did you know? The word 'legacy' entered English through Old French from Latin legare (to bequeath, to send as an ambassador) — so a legacy is literally something delegated to the future. Naming a child Legacy is expressing the hope that their life will be worth bequeathing.
Overall data confidence 94%
U.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data
Variations
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Nicknames
LegLace
Famous Bearers
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If you like Legacy…
Legend— concept name for an enduring reputation in the same aspirational category
Destiny— concept name for fate/future in the same abstract-virtue naming tradition
Honor— virtue concept name with the same directness
Valor— virtue concept name for bravery in the same American naming space
Legacy means 'something handed down' or 'enduring heritage,' from Latin legacia (bequest). It names a child after the hope they will leave something valuable for the future.
How do you pronounce Legacy?
It's said LEG-uh-see — three syllables, stress on the first.
