Chance Boy

Popularity: #407 · Trend: ↘ Falling

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.

ChaseChanceyCharlieCameronCodyCarter

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.

ChandlerCyrusCadenCruzCianColtonClancey

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.

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 Total Births Boy Girl
2025 733 711 22
2024 790 762 28
2023 880 853 27
2022 1,008 985 23
2021 1,070 1,035 35
2020 1,222 1,202 20
2019 1,244 1,214 30
2018 1,357 1,321 36
2017 1,374 1,347 27
2016 1,380 1,347 33
2015 1,496 1,467 29
2014 1,568 1,534 34
2013 1,554 1,520 34
2012 1,543 1,513 30
2011 1,660 1,635 25
2010 1,467 1,440 27
2009 1,536 1,521 15
2008 1,431 1,403 28
2007 1,509 1,472 37
2006 1,311 1,269 42
2005 1,311 1,275 36
2004 1,371 1,321 50
2003 1,436 1,392 44
2002 1,479 1,450 29
2001 1,577 1,542 35
2000 1,725 1,694 31
1999 1,560 1,510 50
1998 1,590 1,542 48
1997 1,756 1,715 41
1996 2,293 2,243 50
1995 1,667 1,631 36
1994 1,386 1,347 39
1993 942 909 33
1992 794 773 21
1991 789 767 22
1990 816 794 22
1989 728 711 17
1988 636 622 14
1987 561 544 17
1986 520 508 12
1985 656 650 6
1984 897 879 18
1983 241 230 11
1982 192 186 6
1981 200 189 11
1980 219 207 12
1979 281 268 13
1978 307 296 11
1977 159 149 10
1976 148 140 8
1975 193 178 15
1974 199 184 15
1973 140 134 6
1972 167 167 0
1971 203 197 6
1970 132 127 5
1969 130 130 0
1968 63 63 0
1967 112 106 6
1966 50 50 0
1965 36 36 0
1964 49 49 0
1963 52 52 0
1962 36 36 0
1961 8 8 0
1960 6 6 0
1959 7 7 0
1957 5 5 0
1956 5 5 0
1955 5 5 0
1947 7 7 0
1944 8 8 0
1943 5 5 0
1924 6 6 0
1922 6 6 0
1915 5 5 0
1883 5 5 0

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. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
GA 67
9%
FL 58
8%
TX 54
8%
CA 53
7%
NC 45
6%
VA 36
5%
NY 28
4%
MI 27
4%
PA 26
4%
OH 26
4%
LA 25
3%
AL 22
3%
MS 22
3%
SC 22
3%
TN 22
3%
MD 20
3%
IN 19
3%
IL 17
2%
AZ 14
2%
MO 13
2%
OK 10
1%
MN 10
1%
WI 10
1%
AR 9
1%
KY 8
1%
IA 8
1%
CO 7
1%
MA 7
1%
NV 7
1%
WA 7
1%
KS 6
1%
ND 5
1%
NE 5
1%