Grace

Grace comes from the Latin word gratia, meaning favor, blessing, or goodwill, which itself derives from gratus, meaning pleasing or thankful. The name entered English use largely through Christian theology, where divine grace denotes the freely given love and mercy of God, giving the name strong spiritual resonance. It became popular as a given name among English speakers from the seventeenth century onward, particularly in Puritan communities who favored virtue names, and gained further visibility through figures such as the American actress and Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly. Related forms include Gracia, Grazia, and Gracie, as well as the Latin Gratia and its Spanish equivalent Graciela.