Lance
How to say it: LANSS · /ˈlæns/
From Old French 'lance' (spear), ultimately Germanic. Also a short form of Lancelot, with chivalric associations.
Lance was the 798th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 279 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1970s, its births are down about 38% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #927 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #798 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 279 |
| Share of births | 1 in 11,882 |
| Peak decade | 1970s |
| Change over 10 years | −38% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #927 |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
In the 1970s Lance reached its fullest use and has receded since. Far below that point today, it is expected to slip more.
What goes with it
A single clipped syllable with soft edges and breath gives Lance a strong punch. Chase feels like a good match.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Lance is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, French, German.
Famous people named Lance
- Lance Armstrong (born 1971)Cyclist from the United States
- Lance Stroll (born 1998)Canadian and Belgian racing driver
- Lance Henriksen (born 1940)American actor
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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