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Legacy

♀ Girl

Pronounced LEG-uh-see /ˈlɛɡ.ə.si/High

Meaning: From the English word legacy, from Medieval Latin legacia meaning bequest or what is bequeathed, from legare meaning to bequeath; used as a given name from the late 20th century to evoke lasting impact and purposeful lifeHigh

In 30 seconds: An aspirational word-name meaning the enduring impact one leaves behind, Legacy has been rising rapidly as parents seek names that carry intention, purpose, and a sense of destiny.

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Origin HighEnglish, Latin

MeaningFrom the English word legacy, from Medieval Latin legacia meaning bequest or what is bequeathed, from legare meaning to bequeath; used as a given name from the late 20th century to evoke lasting impact and purposeful life

U.S. rank (2025)#662 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births429 girls (0.03% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2021

Total births (all-time)≈ 5,770

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Legacy as a given name is a modern American word-name drawn directly from the English vocabulary. The word comes from Medieval Latin legacia, meaning bequest or what is willed to an heir. As a name it functions as an aspirational statement — parents who choose it are expressing hope that their child will live a life of lasting impact and meaning.

Legacy began appearing on U.S. birth records in the 1990s and has grown steadily. It accelerated in the 2010s alongside a trend for intention-names and word-names that communicate parental hope — comparable to Honor, Destiny, and Serenity. It is used almost exclusively for girls. By the mid-2020s it has entered the top 200 girls' names in the United States.

Did you know? Legacy is one of the fastest-rising word-names for girls in the United States in the 21st century, fitting a broader trend toward virtue and intention names — alongside Honor, Story, True, and Reign.

Overall data confidence 92%

U.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

LegaciLegacie

Nicknames

LegaAce

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Legacy…

Destiny— shares the same aspirational word-name quality and the same three-syllable sound

Serenity— fellow multi-syllable virtue/intention name from the same contemporary naming movement

Honor— shares the intention-name tradition and the same sense of purposeful moral meaning

Reign— another contemporary aspirational word-name with the same bold statement quality

Explore names like Legacy

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Legacy mean?

Legacy means that which is left behind or enduring impact, from Medieval Latin legacia meaning bequest. It expresses hope for a life of lasting meaning.

How do you pronounce Legacy?

It is said LEG-uh-see /ˈlɛɡ.ə.si/ — three syllables with stress on the first.

Is Legacy a popular baby name?

Yes — Legacy has entered the U.S. top 200 girls' names and has been one of the faster-rising word-names of the 2010s–2020s.

Is Legacy a boy or girl name?

Legacy is used almost exclusively as a girls' name in the United States.