Tracy or Tracey

[LineRunner]

This is a classic old-fashioned name, made popular by Katherine Hepburn's character Tracy Lord in Philadephia Story. It was the name of Emma Rigg's character when she became Mrs James Bond in On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Classic films, classically popular name.

There are lots of famous and classy/classic Traceys. Tracey Thorn eg.

It has a 'Celtic'/Greek origin (Mediterranean coast possibly) meaning warlike. It's the Thunderbirds family name!

What's not to like?

Yuck! sorry but you asked!

I don't look at these name threads but this one caught my eye. It has confirmed that I will not be asking if anyone likes the name I have picked as someone will always hate it.

OP all that matters is that you like it.

dreamingofsun - my parents gave me an old lady name, a name of their parents' generation (I'm named after my grandmothers). It was terribly dated when I was given it and while I didn't really like it growing up, it has totally come into its own now that I am an adult.

I actually really love the fact that while loads of my peers now have dated-sounding Sarah/Claire/Karen/Joanne type names, I have a unique name - at least for my generation. You can't move for babies being given the name (it's Isobel), since the fashion-wheel has turned full-circle.

I'm just saying OP - if you really like the name, go for it. You will simply be well ahead of the curve, and by the time your Tracy/Tracey is an adult, the name will be the height of fashion.

My name is Tracy and I like it! I was named after the hairdresser who was doing my mum's hair, she was'nt aware she was pregnant at the time, the hairdresser guessed though, she gave my mum a cup of tea, so my mum said if she has a girl, which she did, that girl now woman is me.

No one’s said the iconic Tracy Barlow! 😂

@Poppydaze , why did you re-open a 15 year old thread? Why have you never posted on Mumsnet before?

A woman called Tracy delivered my son. I thought she was so cool. A consultant obstetrician. The more I say it the more I like it.

Tracey is the name of a smart, prosperous, sporty, hard working woman. It's a solid choice.

@user1492757084 ,the thread is from 2011.

And in 2026 every other baby is called Agnes or Archie. Proving that “old people names” really did come back into fashion!

@Jugjug , Every other baby called Agnes in 2026? That surprises me because only 5 baby girls were registered as Agnes in Scotland in 2024 and 86 in England and Wales.
Compared with 325 Sophia/Sofias in Scotland and 3236 Sophias/Sofias in England & Wales, it's hardly every other baby is it?

Ok that was a bad example but from the top twenty we have Florence, Elsie, ivy. They were all considered grandma names once.

@Jugjug , those are very popular but I don't like them. Plant/nature names are currently popular, and Elsie is a diminutive of Elizabeth and fits the Ellie/Ella trend, so the popularity is not difficult to understand
Tracey/Tracy doesn't fit any trend that I know of.

I thought Tracy was a man's name from old French and the Tracey spelling came along much, much, much later as it was adapted for girls.

To be honest, as a man's name, I think it is quite unusual and elegant.

As a woman's name, to me it falls in the Kylie, Sharon, Brenda non-classics bundle.

ETA a bit like James: elegant and classic for a man, but a different vibe entirely when used for a woman.

@Calliopespa , as a surname. As a first name for girls, from the film On Her Majesty's Secret Service (Diana Rigg was a Bond girl), The Philadelphia Story (Katharine Hepburn) or High Society (Grace Kelly) .

I don't think it sounds elegant for a man.

I think you are thinking of Dick Tracy.

It was used as a male first name for a long time, at least as far back as the 1800's (including by Charles Dickens). It's of Norman origin.

I'm not and Dickens didn't use it for a girl.

No, that's my point. It's been in use as a first name for a man since at least the 1800s.

You were telling me it was a surname for men.

@Calliopespa , You are twisting what I said and trying to say I said things I didn't.
I don't give a monkeys about it as a man's first name and the thread was started 15 years ago.

It's due a comeback. The most recent Tracys are of an age when they are starting to become grandparents. In 30 years time, these grandchildren will be naming their own children and some will be named after their much loved nannas.

Personally, I like it but I have a great old pal of that name, then there's fabulous, talented ones like Thorn, Emin, Chapman, Neville, Chevalier, etc.

It's not due a comeback. In 30 years' time, we might see Susan, Sarah, Victoria, Lisa and Helen but I don't think we'll be seeing Sharon and Tracy.