Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Spencer
BoyEnglish, French· “steward, dispenser of provisions”
- Meaning
- steward, dispenser of provisions
- Origin
- English, French
- Pronunciation
- SPEN-sur
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #360
- US babies 2025
- 908
- Best rank
- #84 (1998)
- Peak year
- 1998
Meaning and origin of Spencer
Spencer is an English and French name that means “steward, dispenser of provisions”.
Spencer comes from an occupational surname for a steward, from the Old French despensier, someone who dispensed provisions in a large household. The Spencer family became one of England's noted aristocratic lines, and Diana, Princess of Wales, was born into it. As a first name, Spencer was carried by the actor Spencer Tracy, and it has remained steadily popular in the United States and Britain. It feels polished and preppy while staying friendly. Spence is the obvious nickname, and the name fits easily with both classic and modern sibling names.
Other spellings with the same sound: Spenser.
Famous parents who chose Spencer: Mindy Kaling (2020). More celebrity baby names
Popularity over time
Spencer has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #84 in 1998, the same year it reached its highest count of 4,619 babies. In 2025, 908 babies were named Spencer, and it ranked #360 nationally. That is 37% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #393 in 1920, #378 in 1950, #287 in 1980, #98 in 2000, #227 in 2010, and #360 in 2025. Of the 123,931 US boys named Spencer since records began, 31% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 27,452 babies. Since 2010, 19,568 more have been named Spencer.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Dalton, Tanner, Antonio, Brendan, and Grant.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Spencer ranked highest in South Dakota, Maine, and West Virginia.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | #167 | 9 |
| Maine | #170 | 8 |
| West Virginia | #181 | 11 |
| Missouri | #188 | 39 |
| New Hampshire | #202 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 89% of US babies named Spencer over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Spencer is usually pronounced SPEN-sur, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with S and ends in “-er”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Spenser.
Middle names for Spencer
A few middle names that flow with Spencer: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Spencer
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Lists that include Spencer
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Spencer mean?
Spencer is an English and French name that means “steward, dispenser of provisions”.
What is the origin of the name Spencer?
Spencer has English and French roots. Spencer comes from an occupational surname for a steward, from the Old French despensier, someone who dispensed provisions in a large household.
Is Spencer a popular name?
Yes. Spencer ranked #360 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Spencer a boy or girl name?
Spencer is mainly a boy's name. About 89% of US babies named Spencer over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Spencer?
Spencer is usually pronounced SPEN-sur. 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