Lancelot
Lancelot is a boy's name of French origin.
Meaning
Land, servant, or spear.
Origin and history
Lancelot is a name of Old French origin, closely tied to Arthurian legend where Sir Lancelot was King Arthur's chief knight. The name likely derives from the Germanic root 'land' combined with a diminutive suffix, or possibly from the Old French word for a servant or lance. In the United States, it remains a rare and distinctive choice with strong romantic and literary associations.
Popularity in the United States
638 babies in the United States have been named Lancelot since 1880. It ranks #4038 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1882.
States where it is most popular
- CA (73.9 %)
- NY (26.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 5 |
| 1910-1920 | 16 |
| 1920-1930 | 16 |
| 1930-1940 | 6 |
| 1940-1950 | 16 |
| 1950-1960 | 23 |
| 1960-1970 | 37 |
| 1970-1980 | 52 |
| 1980-1990 | 110 |
| 1990-2000 | 114 |
| 2000-2010 | 115 |
| 2010-2019 | 83 |
| 2020-2029 | 45 |
Famous people named Lancelot
- Lancelot Hogben: Zoologist, Statistician
Nicknames
Lance
Fun facts
- Sir Lancelot du Lac is famously known as the most heroic knight of King Arthur's Round Table.
- The name was introduced to English culture through Anglo-Norman chivalric romances in the Middle Ages.