What Does the Name Wallace Mean?
Wallace is a boy's name of Scottish (from Norman French) origin meaning “foreigner, Welshman.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Wallace |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | Scottish (from Norman French) |
| Meaning | foreigner, Welshman |
| Variants | Wally, Wallis, Wallie |
| Popularity | Common in the United States in the early 20th century; now uncommon, recognizable from the animated character Wallace of Wallace and Gromit. |
The meaning and origin of Wallace
The name Wallace means “foreigner, Welshman” and has Scottish (from Norman French) origins. A transferred use of a Scottish surname derived from Norman French 'waleis' meaning foreigner or Welshman (a Celtic Briton). It is often given in honour of the Scottish hero William Wallace.
Variants and related names
Wallace is related to several other names you may recognize: Wally, Wallis, Wallie. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Wallace?
Common in the United States in the early 20th century; now uncommon, recognizable from the animated character Wallace of Wallace and Gromit.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Wallace mean?+
The name Wallace means “foreigner, Welshman” and is of Scottish (from Norman French) origin.
What is the origin of the name Wallace?+
Wallace originates from Scottish (from Norman French).
Is Wallace a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Wallace has trended in the US over time.
Wallace by gender
More boy'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