Nance Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: NANS /næns/
Origin: English; French
Meaning: English: God is gracious; French: from the name Anne
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Nance is derived from the Hebrew name Hannah, which means "grace" or "favor." The name Hannah was transliterated into Greek as Ἄννα (Anna) and subsequently into Latin as Anna. From Latin, it made its way into Old French as Anne, which became a common name in medieval Europe.
The transition into English occurred through the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, where Anne and its variants were adopted into the English vernacular. Nance is often considered a diminutive or derivative form of Anne, reflecting a linguistic evolution that emphasizes familiarity and affection.
Historically, the name has been associated with several notable figures, including Saint Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary, who is venerated in Christian tradition. The prominence of Saint Anne in the Middle Ages contributed to the popularity of the name across Europe.
The name appears in various historical texts and religious works, including the King James Bible, which, while not directly mentioning the name Nance, reflects the broader cultural significance of its root names. The 12th century saw the establishment of numerous churches dedicated to Saint Anne, further embedding the name in Christian culture.
Culturally, Nance and its variants have been associated with qualities such as grace and favor, resonating with the characteristics attributed to its biblical namesake. The name has been used in various literary and artistic contexts, symbolizing virtue and maternal strength.
Its simplicity and melodic quality have allowed it to endure in various forms throughout history, maintaining a connection to its roots while adapting to different cultural landscapes. The name Nance, while less common, serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of its etymological origins.
Famous people named Nance
In this section, you will find notable people named Nance. 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 Nance who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Nance 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.
Nance O'Neil is an actress best known for The Heart of Maryland, The Girl of the Golden West, and The Last of Mrs. Cheyney.
Nance Greggs is an actress best known for The Last of Us, The Good Doctor, and The Twilight Zone.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Nance, 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 Nance. 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 Nance was first seen in the United States in 1913.
Nance has ranked as high as #2853 nationally, which occurred in 1947, and has been most popular in Pennsylvania, California, and Michigan.
In the past 5 years the name Nance has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Nance 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 Nance 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 Nance.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1970 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1968 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1967 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1966 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1965 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1964 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1963 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 1962 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| 1961 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 1960 | 19 | 0 | 19 |
| 1959 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| 1958 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 1957 | 22 | 0 | 22 |
| 1956 | 23 | 0 | 23 |
| 1955 | 23 | 0 | 23 |
| 1954 | 31 | 0 | 31 |
| 1953 | 23 | 0 | 23 |
| 1952 | 23 | 0 | 23 |
| 1951 | 23 | 0 | 23 |
| 1950 | 29 | 0 | 29 |
| 1949 | 24 | 0 | 24 |
| 1948 | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| 1947 | 32 | 0 | 32 |
| 1946 | 29 | 0 | 29 |
| 1945 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 1944 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1943 | 17 | 0 | 17 |
| 1942 | 18 | 0 | 18 |
| 1941 | 17 | 0 | 17 |
| 1940 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 1939 | 16 | 0 | 16 |
| 1938 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 1937 | 19 | 0 | 19 |
| 1936 | 23 | 5 | 18 |
| 1935 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| 1934 | 17 | 0 | 17 |
| 1933 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| 1932 | 28 | 5 | 23 |
| 1931 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| 1930 | 16 | 0 | 16 |
| 1929 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1928 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| 1927 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1926 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1923 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 1922 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1921 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1920 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1919 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 1918 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 1914 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1913 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
Top States for Nance (1960)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| PA | 6 |