Spencer Unisex
Origin(s)
English; French
Meaning
English: steward; French: from the spice merchant
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Spencer originated as a surname in England, derived from the Old French word 'despensier,' meaning 'steward' or 'dispenser of provisions.' It became popular as a given name in the 19th century. The name has been associated with nobility and landed gentry, particularly in England. Spencer has also been used in various cultural contexts, including literature and media.
Trend Summary
Spencer has seen a steady popularity in the United States, remaining a classic choice for boys.
Similar Names
Sawyer, Asher, Grayson, Jasper, Colton, Bennett, Cohen, Wesley
Variants
- Spence
International Variants
- Spencer (English)
- Spensar (Scandinavian)
Famous people named Spencer
Spencer Tracy was an American actor known for his performances in classic films such as 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner.'.
Spencer Smith is a musician and drummer best known as a member of the band Panic! At The Disco.
Spencer Hawes is a professional basketball player who has played in the NBA.
Spencer Dinwiddie is an American professional basketball player known for his time with the Brooklyn Nets.
Fictional characters named Spencer
Spencer Reid is a character from the TV show 'Criminal Minds,' known for his genius-level IQ and expertise in criminal profiling.
Spencer Hastings is a character from the series 'Pretty Little Liars,' recognized for her intelligence and determination.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Spencer was first seen in the United States in 1880. Spencer has ranked as high as #147 nationally, which occurred in 1998, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Spencer has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
All data featured information on this baby name page is provided from official Social Security Administration databases. Names, Gender, and Birthdates are updated annually by the SSA for both national and state birth totals. Our records on the national level data back to 1880. If a chart starts after 1880 it's because that baby name first appeared in official SSA records at that time. If you're name shows a data after your birthdate as a start pointing, feel free to contact us using our contact section and we'll happily update with your birth year.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Spencer (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 59 | |
| NY | 52 | |
| TX | 50 | |
| PA | 43 | |
| OH | 41 | |
| FL | 40 | |
| IN | 32 | |
| IL | 31 | |
| NC | 30 | |
| MO | 24 | |
| VA | 22 | |
| MI | 22 | |
| WA | 22 | |
| AL | 21 | |
| TN | 21 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880 | 35 |
| 1881 | 26 |
| 1882 | 33 |
| 1883 | 28 |
| 1884 | 32 |
| 1885 | 23 |
| 1886 | 29 |
| 1887 | 41 |
| 1888 | 38 |
| 1889 | 28 |
| 1890 | 30 |
| 1891 | 33 |
| 1892 | 33 |
| 1893 | 21 |
| 1894 | 27 |
| 1895 | 35 |
| 1896 | 28 |
| 1897 | 23 |
| 1898 | 40 |
| 1899 | 39 |
| 1900 | 44 |
| 1901 | 30 |
| 1902 | 32 |
| 1903 | 28 |
| 1904 | 44 |
| 1905 | 38 |
| 1906 | 29 |
| 1907 | 41 |
| 1908 | 61 |
| 1909 | 49 |
| 1910 | 54 |
| 1911 | 70 |
| 1912 | 105 |
| 1913 | 124 |
| 1914 | 124 |
| 1915 | 153 |
| 1916 | 169 |
| 1917 | 204 |
| 1918 | 210 |
| 1919 | 160 |
| 1920 | 229 |
| 1921 | 195 |
| 1922 | 197 |
| 1923 | 199 |
| 1924 | 188 |
| 1925 | 177 |
| 1926 | 176 |
| 1927 | 180 |
| 1928 | 168 |
| 1929 | 157 |
| 1930 | 153 |
| 1931 | 141 |
| 1932 | 151 |
| 1933 | 155 |
| 1934 | 185 |
| 1935 | 163 |
| 1936 | 193 |
| 1937 | 180 |
| 1938 | 206 |
| 1939 | 259 |
| 1940 | 261 |
| 1941 | 291 |
| 1942 | 313 |
| 1943 | 351 |
| 1944 | 282 |
| 1945 | 266 |
| 1946 | 303 |
| 1947 | 337 |
| 1948 | 314 |
| 1949 | 319 |
| 1950 | 322 |
| 1951 | 395 |
| 1952 | 340 |
| 1953 | 295 |
| 1954 | 291 |
| 1955 | 325 |
| 1956 | 308 |
| 1957 | 275 |
| 1958 | 284 |
| 1959 | 319 |
| 1960 | 357 |
| 1961 | 398 |
| 1962 | 380 |
| 1963 | 410 |
| 1964 | 425 |
| 1965 | 456 |
| 1966 | 366 |
| 1967 | 375 |
| 1968 | 540 |
| 1969 | 709 |
| 1970 | 717 |
| 1971 | 622 |
| 1972 | 621 |
| 1973 | 592 |
| 1974 | 564 |
| 1975 | 696 |
| 1976 | 771 |
| 1977 | 731 |
| 1978 | 737 |
| 1979 | 848 |
| 1980 | 721 |
| 1981 | 827 |
| 1982 | 927 |
| 1983 | 943 |
| 1984 | 935 |
| 1985 | 1,114 |
| 1986 | 1,644 |
| 1987 | 2,251 |
| 1988 | 2,695 |
| 1989 | 3,126 |
| 1990 | 3,420 |
| 1991 | 3,564 |
| 1992 | 3,696 |
| 1993 | 3,884 |
| 1994 | 3,813 |
| 1995 | 3,618 |
| 1996 | 3,609 |
| 1997 | 3,766 |
| 1998 | 4,619 |
| 1999 | 4,194 |
| 2000 | 4,044 |
| 2001 | 3,732 |
| 2002 | 3,448 |
| 2003 | 2,908 |
| 2004 | 2,664 |
| 2005 | 2,317 |
| 2006 | 2,186 |
| 2007 | 2,365 |
| 2008 | 2,092 |
| 2009 | 1,696 |
| 2010 | 1,555 |
| 2011 | 1,585 |
| 2012 | 1,536 |
| 2013 | 1,459 |
| 2014 | 1,520 |
| 2015 | 1,433 |
| 2016 | 1,371 |
| 2017 | 1,210 |
| 2018 | 1,114 |
| 2019 | 1,038 |
| 2020 | 1,046 |
| 2021 | 1,049 |
| 2022 | 988 |
| 2023 | 902 |
| 2024 | 840 |