The first time Jacy popped up in the U.S. baby name data, in 1912, it was a boy name. When it made a return in the early ’60s, it was a girl name:
- 1963: 13 baby girls named Jacy
- 1962: 15 baby girls named Jacy
- 1961: 13 baby girls named Jacy
- 1960: unlisted
- 1959: unlisted
The return was prompted by Brazilian fashion model Jacy DeSouza, who was featured in the African-American magazines Jet and Ebony in the late ’50s and early ’60s. She appeared on one Ebony cover and three Jet covers from 1960 to 1963.
Jacy had been modeling professionally in Italy for several years when she met the director of the annual Ebony Fashion Fair. A few years later, she began participating in the traveling fashion show and appearing in the two magazines (both of which were owned by same company).
She’s last mentioned/pictured in the magazines in late 1963. I’m not sure what became of her after that.
Source: “New Face in Ebony Fashion Fair.” Jet 5 Oct. 1961: 42-43.