Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Chance
BoyEnglish· “good fortune”
- Meaning
- good fortune
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- CHANS
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #442
- US babies 2025
- 711
- Best rank
- #154 (1996)
- Peak year
- 1996
Meaning and origin of Chance
Chance is an English name that is usually said to mean “good fortune”.
Chance comes from the English word for luck or fortune, which traces back through Old French cheance to a Latin verb meaning "to fall," in the sense of how things fall out. It can also be seen as a shortened form of the surname Chauncey. As a given name Chance became noticeable in the United States in the late twentieth century, fitting the taste for bold, single-syllable word names. It carries an easygoing, adventurous feel and suggests optimism and opportunity. The name is short and hard to misspell, and it pairs neatly with longer, more traditional middle names.
Famous parents who chose Chance: Ludacris and Eudoxie Bridges (2021). More celebrity baby names
Popularity over time
Chance first appears in US Social Security records in 1883. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 60 different years, starting in 1883. Its best national rank was #154 in 1996, the same year it reached its highest count of 2,243 babies. In 2025, 711 babies were named Chance, and it ranked #442 nationally. That is 52% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #605 in 1980, #212 in 2000, #244 in 2010, and #442 in 2025. Of the 54,622 US boys named Chance since records began, 26% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 14,338 babies. Since 2010, 19,886 more have been named Chance.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Sergio, Armando, Devon, Tristen, and Grant.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Chance ranked highest in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Montana.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | #199 | 26 |
| Arkansas | #234 | 15 |
| Montana | #239 | 5 |
| North Carolina | #248 | 50 |
| Mississippi | #264 | 12 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 98% of US babies named Chance over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Chance is usually pronounced CHANS, with one syllable. It has six letters, starts with C and ends in “-ce”.
Middle names for Chance
A few middle names that flow with Chance: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Chance
Similar names
Ace Boy
AYS
“one who excels; the top card” · English
#164
Jace Boy
JAYS
“modern short form of Jason” · American (modern coinage)
#114
Jayce Boy
JAYS
“modern short form of Jason” · American (modern coinage)
#167
Prince Boy
PRIHNS
“prince, chief” · English
#447
Lance Boy
LANS
“land” · Germanic
#862
Vance Boy
VANS
“marsh, fen” · English
#1,080
Chase Boy
CHAYS
“hunter” · English
#192
Zane Boy
ZAYN
English
#324
King Boy
KING
“king” · English
#405
Gage Boy
GAYJ
“pledge” · English
#973
Cash Boy
KASH
“money; also an English surname” · English
#287
Jax Boy
JAKS
“short for Jackson, son of Jack” · American (modern coinage)
#342
Lists that include Chance
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Chance mean?
Chance is an English name that is usually said to mean “good fortune”.
What is the origin of the name Chance?
Chance has English roots. Chance comes from the English word for luck or fortune, which traces back through Old French cheance to a Latin verb meaning "to fall," in the sense of how things fall out.
Is Chance a popular name?
Yes. Chance ranked #442 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Chance a boy or girl name?
Chance is mainly a boy's name. About 98% of US babies named Chance over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Chance?
Chance is usually pronounced CHANS. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings