Wallace is a name of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic word "Uallas," which means "foreign" or "stranger." It was traditionally used as a nickname for someone who had returned from abroad after spending time away from their home. The name Wallace has been in use since at least the 12th century and is often associated with Scottish history, particularly with Sir William Wallace, a national hero of Scotland who fought against English occupation during the Wars of Scottish Independence.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Wallace. Apart from Sir William Wallace, another prominent figure was Alfred Russel Wallace, a British naturalist, explorer, and biologist who is best known for independently proposing the theory of evolution by natural selection at the same time as Charles Darwin. This coincidence earned him the title "the forgotten man of science."
The name Wallace has also been used in popular culture, most notably in the 1995 film "Braveheart," directed by Mel Gibson and starring Gibson himself as Sir William Wallace. The character Wallace also appears in the comic book series "Watchmen" by Alan Moore.
Today, Wallace remains a relatively uncommon but distinctive name, often chosen for its historical significance and Scottish heritage. It is typically used more frequently as a middle or surname rather than a first name.
The name Wallace has seen a varied trend in popularity over the years in the United States, as reflected by the annual birth statistics provided.
In the late 19th century, the number of babies named Wallace was relatively low but stable, fluctuating between 88 and 138 births per year from 1880 to 1899. The turn of the century brought a significant increase, with 161 births in 1900, marking the beginning of a period of growth for the name's popularity.
This upward trend continued through the early 20th century, reaching a peak in 1917 with 1334 births. The years following World War I saw further increases, culminating in an all-time high of 2803 births in 1923. However, this proved to be the pinnacle of Wallace's popularity.
After 1923, the number of babies named Wallace began to decline steadily. By 1957, the figure had dropped below 1000 for the first time since 1886, and it continued to fall throughout the latter half of the century.
The 1970s and 1980s saw a brief resurgence in popularity, with Wallace reaching its highest point during this period in 1975 (294 births). However, this was merely a temporary reversal of the long-term downward trend.
Since the late 1980s, the name Wallace has remained relatively uncommon. In recent years, it has hovered around the 100-200 mark annually, with 216 births recorded in 2023.
In total, over the entire period from 1880 to 2023, there have been 82790 babies named Wallace born in the United States. Despite its fluctuating popularity, the name Wallace has maintained a consistent presence among American baby names for well over a century.