Spence Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Spence has its roots in Old French, meaning 'steward' or 'dispenser.' It evolved through various forms, from 'especier' in Old French to 'Spens' in Middle English. The name is associated with the role of managing provisions and has a strong historical significance in English culture. It does not have biblical relevance but has gained popularity since the medieval period as a surname and later as a given name. Variants include Spencer and Spenceley, and it is perceived positively in modern times.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Spence"
Pronunciation
/spɛns/
Origin
Old French
Etymology
The name Spence is derived from the Old French word 'especier,' meaning 'to provide' or 'to supply,' which evolved into 'spensier' referring to a steward or a dispenser of provisions.
Meaning
steward, dispenser
Language Evolution
Old French: especier, Middle English: Spens, Modern English: Spence
Historical Usage
Spence became popular as a surname in England during the medieval period, particularly among those who worked as stewards or in positions related to the management of household provisions.
Variants & Derivatives
Spencer, Spenceley, Spencely
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Spence is seen as a traditional name with a strong historical background, often associated with reliability and stewardship.
Famous People
Spence Smith (American football player), Spence K. Jones (New Zealand politician), Spence T. Johnson (American author)
📊 Spence Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Spence Name Visualizations
✨ Spence Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 47 peak births in 1970
Geographic Spread
Popular across 5 US states, with strongest presence in Tennessee
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Spence"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Spence"
"Spence" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 3663rd of 7545 | 79 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 3199th of 6773 | 103 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2627th of 7552 | 186 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2263rd of 10718 | 283 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 3960th of 16616 | 204 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 6231st of 24088 | 188 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 10316th of 23106 | 70 |
Regional Popularity of "Spence" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
84.53% 2000th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - |
64.38% 2265th/3518 |
60.78% 2458th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
60.11% 4396th/7313 |
- |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Spence" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Spence"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Spence" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Spence" in the United States
The name Spence is most popular in Tennessee, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Spence has been stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Spence' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 3663rd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 3199th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2627th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2263rd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 3960th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 6231st out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 10316th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Spence' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.