Nancy
Meaning of Nancy
Nancy is a classic and timeless name for girls, pronounced as NAN-see (/ˈnænsi/). With its origins rooted in Hebrew, Nancy originally emerged as a diminutive form of Anne or Ann, meaning "grace" or "favor." The name gained significant popularity in the United States throughout the mid-20th century, peaking impressively in the 1940s and 1950s when it consistently ranked within the top 10 names for newborn girls. Despite a gradual decline in usage since then, Nancy remains an endearing choice that exudes charm and sophistication. Notable figures bearing this name include Nancy Reagan, former First Lady of the United States, and Nancy Sinatra, celebrated singer and actress. The name also offers a sweet variation—Nancie—for those looking to add a unique twist. Although its frequency has decreased over recent years, with 279 occurrences in 2023 ranking it at 941st place, Nancy continues to be cherished by many for its elegance and historical significance.
Pronunciation
English
- Pronunced as NAN-see (/ˈnænsi/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Nancy
| Nancy Pelosi is a prominent American politician who made history as the first woman to serve as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and lead a major political party in Congress. |
| Nancy Davis Reagan was an American film actress and the First Lady of the United States from 1981 to 1989 as the wife of President Ronald Reagan. |
| Nancy Astor, Viscountess Astor - Nancy Witcher Langhorne Astor, Viscountess Astor, was the first woman to serve as a Member of Parliament in the UK, and she was born in Danville, Virginia, and raised in Greenwood, Virginia. |
| Nancy Grace Roman was a pioneering American astronomer and the first female executive at NASA, known for her significant contributions to stellar classification and motions. |
| Nancy Wake - Nancy Grace Augusta Wake, also known as Madame Fiocca, was a nurse and journalist who played a significant role in the French Resistance and the Special Operations Executive during World War II. |
| Nancy Lamoureux Wilson is an American musician known for her role as a guitarist and vocalist in the rock band Heart, alongside her sister Ann. |
| Nancy Kerrigan is a former American figure skater known for winning medals at the World Championships and the Winter Olympics, and was inducted into the United States Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2004. |
| Nancy Sandra Sinatra is an American singer, best known for her 1965 hit "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'". |
| Nancy Lieberman, also known as "Lady Magic," is a prominent former professional basketball player and coach in the WNBA, now a broadcaster for the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder and head coach of the BIG3 team Power. |
| Dame Nancy Jane Rothwell is a British physiologist and the president of the University of Manchester. |
| Nancy Wexler is an American geneticist known for her role in discovering the gene that causes Huntington's disease and holds the Higgins Professor of Neuropsychology position at Columbia University. |
| Nancy Harkness Love, also known as Hannah Lincoln Harkness, was a pioneering American pilot and commander during World War II, who played a crucial role in establishing and leading the Women Airforce Service Pilots. |
| Nancy Johnson - Nancy Elizabeth Lee Johnson is a former American politician and lobbyist who served as a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from Connecticut. |
| Nancy Marie Lopez is a retired American professional golfer who achieved 48 LPGA Tour victories, including three major championships. |
| Nancy Lancaster was a 20th-century tastemaker and the owner of Colefax & Fowler, an influential British decorating firm known for codifying the English country house look. |
