Tracy is a female given name of English origin. It is derived from the French surname "Tracey," which itself comes from the Old French word "traci," meaning "to trace or track." The name Tracy was originally used as a surname for people who lived near a boundary marker or in an area where tracking or hunting took place.
The name Tracy became popular as a given name for girls during the mid-20th century. It reached its peak popularity in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s, when it was among the top 50 names for girls each year. Today, it is still considered a classic and timeless name.
Tracy has also been used as a male given name, although it is much more commonly used for females. Some famous people named Tracy include American actresses Tracy Chapman and Tracey Gold, British singer-songwriter Tracy Thorn, and Canadian ice hockey player Wayne Gretzky's daughter, Pauline Gretzky (née Tracy).
Based on the provided statistics, the name Tracy has seen a decline in popularity over time in the United States. In 1969, there were 7 babies named Tracy, while only 5 babies were named Tracy in 1980. This represents a total of 12 births with the name Tracy across these two years.