Spencer
Meaning & Origin
Meaning: Steward; Dispenser of Provisions
Background: The name Spencer originates from the Old French word 'despensier,' meaning 'to distribute.' This term was adapted into Middle English as 'spencer,' referring to a steward or a person who is responsible for the provision of food. The name has direct ties to the Latin 'dispensare,' which also means 'to distribute.'
At a glance
Quick stats based on the history of this name.
Lifetime rank
#269
Total births
128,474
Most popular decade
1990s
(118,476 births)
10-year trend
↓ Falling (-138 ranks)
Years in Top 100
6
First recorded year
1880
Gender usage
95.7% male
4.3% female
Stats by gender
Male
- First year
- 1880
- First year births
- 35
- First year rank
- #282
- Peak year
- 1998
- Peak year births
- 4,619
- Peak rank
- #84
- Most recent year
- 2024
- Recent year births
- 840
- Recent rank
- #385
Female
- First year
- 1922
- First year births
- 6
- First year rank
- #4,444
- Peak year
- 2017
- Peak year births
- 267
- Peak rank
- #978
- Most recent year
- 2024
- Recent year births
- 216
- Recent rank
- #1,118
Births over time
Number of babies given this name each year.
Rank over time
Popularity rank by year (1 = most popular).