Spence
Every Spence since 1902 — 1,114 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Spence
Spence is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1902, 1,114 American babies have been named Spence. Its peak came in 1970, when 47 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Spence stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Spence year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | 5 | #13,966 |
| 2023 | 8 | #9,627 |
| 2022 | 9 | #8,886 |
| 2021 | 6 | #11,944 |
| 2020 | 5 | #13,775 |
| 2019 | 7 | #10,651 |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | 6 | #12,029 |
| 2016 | 9 | #8,714 |
| 2015 | 7 | #10,474 |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | 9 | #8,670 |
| 2012 | 7 | #10,603 |
| 2011 | 10 | #7,981 |
| 2010 | 9 | #8,695 |
| 2009 | 9 | #8,900 |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | 11 | #7,512 |
| 2006 | 13 | #6,406 |
| 2005 | 20 | #4,440 |
| 2004 | 11 | #6,913 |
| 2003 | 11 | #6,660 |
| 2002 | 19 | #4,304 |
| 2001 | 17 | #4,647 |
| 2000 | 14 | #5,266 |
| 1995 | 9 | #6,340 |
| 1990 | 21 | #3,047 |
| 1985 | 8 | #5,086 |
| 1980 | 14 | #3,228 |
| 1975 | 8 | #4,260 |
| 1970 | 47 | #1,219 |
| 1965 | 8 | #3,216 |
| 1960 | 10 | #2,847 |
| 1955 | 9 | #2,948 |
| 1950 | 8 | #2,995 |
| 1945 | 7 | #2,965 |
| 1940 | 10 | #2,461 |
| 1935 | 6 | #3,600 |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | 9 | #3,180 |
| 1915 | 11 | #2,435 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Spence in 2025?
Spence did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Spence?
1,114 babies have been named Spence in the United States since 1902, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Spence most popular?
Spence peaked in 1970, when 47 newborns received the name.
Is Spence a boy or girl name?
Spence is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Spence rising or falling?
Spence has been roughly stable over the past decade.