What Does the Name Nancy Mean?
Nancy is a girl's name of Hebrew (via English) origin meaning “grace.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Nancy |
|---|---|
| Gender | female |
| Origin | Hebrew (via English) |
| Meaning | grace |
| Variants | Ann, Anne, Hannah, Nan, Nance |
| Popularity | A top 10 US girls' name in the 1940s-1950s |
The meaning and origin of Nancy
The name Nancy means “grace” and has Hebrew (via English) origins. Originally a medieval diminutive of Ann/Anne (with the 'n' carried from 'mine Ann'), from the Hebrew Hannah meaning 'grace' or 'favor.' It became a popular independent given name by the 20th century.
Variants and related names
Nancy is related to several other names you may recognize: Ann, Anne, Hannah, Nan, Nance. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Nancy?
A top 10 US girls' name in the 1940s-1950s
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nancy mean?+
The name Nancy means “grace” and is of Hebrew (via English) origin.
What is the origin of the name Nancy?+
Nancy originates from Hebrew (via English).
Is Nancy a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Nancy has trended in the US over time.
Nancy by gender
More girl's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press