Legacy

• Origin: English
• Gender: Unisex
• First Est. 1970s

From the English word legacy, referring to something handed down or inherited from an ancestor or predecessor, such as property, traditions, achievements, or influence. The word derives from Middle English legacie, via Anglo-French and Medieval Latin legatia, originally referring to the office or commission of a legate.

Legacy came into use as both a masculine and feminine given name during the latter half of the 20th century, though it remained extremely rare until the 21st century. Its usage accelerated considerably during the late 2010s and early 2020s, likely influenced by the modern popularity of aspirational word names such as Legend, Royalty, Reign, and Journey.

Legacy first entered the U.S. Top 1000 Most Popular Female Names in 2017. It reached its highest rank of #434 in 2021 and currently ranks at #662 as of 2025. For boys, Legacy first entered the U.S. Top 1000 Most Popular Male Names in 2019. It likewise peaked in 2021, at #709, and currently ranks at #955 as of 2025.

Although used for both sexes, Legacy has consistently been more popular for girls in the United States.

Sister Names: Alchemy, Anthem, Basilissa, Blessing, Cadence, Cascade, Clarity, Destiny, Deja, Dynasty, Eden, Ember, Ever, Fable, Galaxy, Genesis, Glory, Halcyone, Halo, Heaven, Indigo, Iridian, Jade, Journey, Jubilee, Kestrel, Kismet, Lotus, Lumen, Lyric, Majesty, Memory, Moon, Nevaeh, Nirvana, October, Onyx, Pegasus, Petrichor, Phoenix, Questa, Raven, Reverie, Royalty, Solace, Story, Sunday, Teal, Trinity, True, Umber, Vanity, Victory, Willow, Wren, Yarrow

Brother Names: Ace, Arrow, Atlas, Basil, Blaze, Brave, Canyon, Coast, Creed, Dragon, Eagle, Everest, Falcon, Griffin, Hawk, Indigo, Jagger, Jett, Justice, Kai, Knight, Legend, Lore, Loyal, Major, Maddox, Marvel, Neo, Noble, Onyx, Orion, Peregrine, Phoenix, Psalm, Quest, Rex, Reign, Royal, Saint, Seven, Steel, Talon, True, Valor, Wilder, Zeal

Sources

• https://www.behindthename.com/name/legacy
• https://www.etymonline.com/word/legacy
• http://www.findagrave.com
• https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/