Chance Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: CHANTS //tʃæns//
Origin: English; Latin
Meaning: English: fortune; Latin: chance, luck
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Chance derives from the Latin word "cadentia," meaning "to fall" or "to happen by chance." This term evolved through the Old French "chance," which carried the meaning of fortune or luck, before being adopted into Middle English as "chance" in the 14th century. The name is often associated with the notion of luck or fortune, reflecting a serendipitous quality in its etymological roots.
As a given name, it emerged in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States, during the 19th century, although its use as a surname predates this period. Historically, the concept of chance has been significant in various cultural contexts, often linked to the idea of fate or divine intervention.
In literature, the theme of chance appears in works from the medieval period onward, where characters often encounter fortuitous events that alter their destinies. The name Chance can also be connected to figures in literature and folklore who embody the unpredictable nature of fortune, such as the character of Chance in the 1979 film "Being There," which explores themes of innocence and the randomness of life.
Culturally, the name Chance resonates with the idea of opportunity and the potential for change, making it a symbol of hope and possibility. This association has contributed to its appeal in various narratives, from fairy tales to modern storytelling.
The name may also have diminutive forms or variations, such as Chancy, which have been used historically, although they are less common. Overall, Chance encapsulates a rich tapestry of meanings related to luck, fate, and the unpredictable nature of life.
Famous people named Chance
In this section, you will find notable people named Chance. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Chance who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Chance who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Chance the Rapper is a musician best known for Coloring Book, Acid Rap, and The Big Day.
Chance Crawford is an actor best known for Gossip Girl, The Covenant, and The Beautiful Life.
Fictional characters named Chance
The following list of fictional characters named Chance is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Chance is a fictional character from the film Being There. He is a simple gardener who becomes an unlikely political figure due to his naivety and unintentional wisdom.
Chance the Rapper is a fictional character from the animated series The Amazing World of Gumball. He is a recurring character known for his upbeat personality and musical talent.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Chance, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Chance. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Chance was first seen in the United States in 1883.
Chance has ranked as high as #295 nationally, which occurred in 1996, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Florida, Georgia, and Ohio.
In the past 5 years the name Chance has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Chance is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Chance was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Chance (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| GA | 67 | |
| FL | 58 | |
| TX | 54 | |
| CA | 53 | |
| NC | 45 | |
| VA | 36 | |
| NY | 28 | |
| MI | 27 | |
| OH | 26 | |
| PA | 26 | |
| LA | 25 | |
| TN | 22 | |
| AL | 22 | |
| MS | 22 | |
| SC | 22 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Chance.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 757 |
| 2023 | 852 |
| 2022 | 983 |
| 2021 | 1,033 |
| 2020 | 1,199 |
| 2019 | 1,213 |
| 2018 | 1,318 |
| 2017 | 1,347 |
| 2016 | 1,347 |
| 2015 | 1,464 |
| 2014 | 1,533 |
| 2013 | 1,519 |
| 2012 | 1,513 |
| 2011 | 1,634 |
| 2010 | 1,440 |
| 2009 | 1,521 |
| 2008 | 1,402 |
| 2007 | 1,472 |
| 2006 | 1,269 |
| 2005 | 1,275 |
| 2004 | 1,321 |
| 2003 | 1,392 |
| 2002 | 1,450 |
| 2001 | 1,542 |
| 2000 | 1,694 |
| 1999 | 1,510 |
| 1998 | 1,542 |
| 1997 | 1,715 |
| 1996 | 2,243 |
| 1995 | 1,631 |
| 1994 | 1,347 |
| 1993 | 909 |
| 1992 | 773 |
| 1991 | 767 |
| 1990 | 794 |
| 1989 | 711 |
| 1988 | 622 |
| 1987 | 544 |
| 1986 | 508 |
| 1985 | 650 |
| 1984 | 879 |
| 1983 | 230 |
| 1982 | 186 |
| 1981 | 189 |
| 1980 | 207 |
| 1979 | 268 |
| 1978 | 296 |
| 1977 | 151 |
| 1976 | 141 |
| 1975 | 178 |
| 1974 | 184 |
| 1973 | 134 |
| 1972 | 167 |
| 1971 | 197 |
| 1970 | 127 |
| 1969 | 130 |
| 1968 | 63 |
| 1967 | 106 |
| 1966 | 50 |
| 1965 | 36 |
| 1964 | 49 |
| 1963 | 52 |
| 1962 | 36 |
| 1961 | 8 |
| 1960 | 6 |
| 1959 | 7 |
| 1957 | 5 |
| 1956 | 5 |
| 1955 | 5 |
| 1947 | 7 |
| 1944 | 8 |
| 1943 | 5 |
| 1924 | 6 |
| 1922 | 6 |
| 1915 | 5 |
| 1883 | 5 |