Wallace is a name of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic word "Uallach," which means "foreigner" or "stranger." The name was originally given to individuals who were not born in Scotland but had moved there from elsewhere.
The most famous bearer of the name Wallace is William Wallace, a 13th-century Scottish knight who fought against English rule. He is often credited with inspiring the Scottish Wars of Independence and is celebrated as a national hero in Scotland. The character of William Wallace was popularized in the film "Braveheart," directed by Mel Gibson.
The name Wallace has been used consistently throughout history, but it became particularly popular during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It reached its peak popularity in the United States in the 1880s and 1890s, where it was often given to boys born into Scottish-American families.
Today, Wallace is still used as a given name, but it has become less common than it once was. Despite this, it remains a strong and distinctive choice for parents looking for a unique name with a rich history.
The name Wallace has had a fluctuating popularity over the years, with peaks in the early 1900s and again in the late 2010s. The highest number of babies named Wallace in any single year was 19 births in 1918 and 2020 each. However, since the mid-20th century, the name has been less popular, with fewer than 10 births per year on average from 1954 onwards.