Boy · 177th of 16,616
Lance
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
105,908
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1970
Peak Popularity Year
4,173
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Lance stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Lance has its origins in Old French, meaning 'spear'. It evolved from various historical forms associated with chivalry and knighthood. The name is seen as strong and carries a sense of bravery, with no biblical relevance. It gained popularity during the Middle Ages and has notable variants such as Lancelot. Today, it is commonly associated with prominent figures in sports and entertainment.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/læns/
Origin
Old French
Etymology
The name Lance is derived from the Old French word 'lance', meaning 'spear'. It originally referred to a type of weapon used by knights.
Meaning
spear
Language Evolution
Lance (Old French), Lancelot (Old French), Lancelin (Old French)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the Middle Ages, particularly due to the romanticized tales of knights and chivalry, especially those involving characters like Lancelot from Arthurian legend.
Variants & Derivatives
Lancelot, Lancey, Lans
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, the name Lance is perceived as strong and masculine, often associated with athleticism and bravery, partly due to its historical connotations.
Famous People
Lance Armstrong, Lance Bass, Lance Henriksen
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 4,173 peak births in 1970
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Hawaii
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 11 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 1 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 11 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1314th of 7545 | 487 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 468th of 6773 | 2,858 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 218th of 7552 | 21,606 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 139th of 10718 | 33,979 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 177th of 16616 | 26,965 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 327th of 24088 | 15,062 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 680th of 23106 | 4,593 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 7274th of 12526 | 45 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 4903rd of 19264 | 177 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 8847th of 27321 | 118 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 35406th of 35406 | 5 |