Lance
Lance is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Land or spear.
Origin and history
Lance is a masculine name derived from Germanic roots associated with land or weapons, popularized via Norman French. It saw consistent use in the United States throughout the 20th century, peak popularity in the 1970s, and remains a recognizable classic. Today, it offers a sharp, traditional, yet streamlined option for parents.
Popularity in the United States
105,839 babies in the United States have been named Lance since 1880. It ranks #302 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #775.
States where it is most popular
- CA (11.3 %)
- TX (8.1 %)
- NY (6 %)
- IL (4.5 %)
- MI (4.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 5 |
| 1900-1910 | 61 |
| 1910-1920 | 184 |
| 1920-1930 | 302 |
| 1930-1940 | 868 |
| 1940-1950 | 4,184 |
| 1950-1960 | 9,720 |
| 1960-1970 | 20,034 |
| 1970-1980 | 21,791 |
| 1980-1990 | 19,452 |
| 1990-2000 | 12,100 |
| 2000-2010 | 10,542 |
| 2010-2019 | 4,784 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,812 |
Famous people named Lance
- Lance Armstrong: Cyclist
- Lance Bass: Singer, Actor
- Lance Reddick: Actor, Musician
Fun facts
- The name was historically bolstered in medieval Europe through Lancelot, the famed knight of Arthurian romance.
- It derived either from the Germanic element 'land' or from the Old French word 'lance', referring to the weapon.