Spencer
An occupational surname from Middle English Spenser, Spencer, Spensier, from the common noun spenser (“spencer”), denoting someone who works in a spense (“spence”), or…
Every Spencer since 1880 — 129,638 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Spencer
Spencer is moderately common for boys in the United States, ranked #360 in 2025 with 908 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 129,638 American babies have been named Spencer. Its peak came in 1998, when 4,780 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1990s.
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 Spencer stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Spencer year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 245 | #1,025 | 908 | #360 |
| 2024 | 217 | #1,119 | 845 | #384 |
| 2023 | 245 | #1,036 | 903 | #362 |
| 2022 | 230 | #1,088 | 990 | #338 |
| 2021 | 241 | #1,050 | 1,050 | #315 |
| 2020 | 238 | #1,053 | 1,046 | #317 |
| 2019 | 242 | #1,058 | 1,038 | #321 |
| 2018 | 247 | #1,043 | 1,117 | #307 |
| 2017 | 267 | #981 | 1,212 | #292 |
| 2016 | 245 | #1,067 | 1,371 | #267 |
| 2015 | 239 | #1,091 | 1,433 | #252 |
| 2014 | 203 | #1,204 | 1,520 | #248 |
| 2013 | 179 | #1,316 | 1,459 | #248 |
| 2012 | 145 | #1,529 | 1,536 | #234 |
| 2011 | 100 | #1,981 | 1,585 | #226 |
| 2010 | 57 | #3,007 | 1,555 | #227 |
| 2009 | 38 | #4,095 | 1,696 | #217 |
| 2008 | 52 | #3,260 | 2,092 | #191 |
| 2007 | 46 | #3,592 | 2,365 | #173 |
| 2006 | 43 | #3,665 | 2,186 | #184 |
| 2005 | 39 | #3,803 | 2,317 | #177 |
| 2004 | 69 | #2,478 | 2,664 | #151 |
| 2003 | 54 | #2,877 | 2,908 | #139 |
| 2002 | 90 | #1,965 | 3,448 | #110 |
| 2001 | 84 | #2,031 | 3,732 | #103 |
| 2000 | 99 | #1,774 | 4,044 | #98 |
| 1995 | 123 | #1,345 | 3,618 | #104 |
| 1990 | 137 | #1,227 | 3,419 | #105 |
| 1985 | 16 | #4,827 | 1,114 | #216 |
| 1980 | 17 | #4,488 | 721 | #287 |
| 1975 | 6 | #8,895 | 696 | #276 |
| 1970 | 8 | #6,286 | 717 | #291 |
| 1965 | — | — | 456 | #358 |
| 1960 | 5 | #7,173 | 358 | #422 |
| 1955 | — | — | 325 | #406 |
| 1950 | 5 | #6,003 | 322 | #378 |
| 1945 | — | — | 266 | #365 |
| 1940 | — | — | 262 | #351 |
| 1935 | — | — | 163 | #447 |
| 1930 | — | — | 153 | #483 |
| 1925 | — | — | 177 | #454 |
| 1920 | — | — | 229 | #393 |
| 1915 | — | — | 153 | #440 |
| 1910 | — | — | 54 | #344 |
| 1905 | — | — | 38 | #328 |
| 1900 | — | — | 44 | #324 |
| 1895 | — | — | 35 | #307 |
| 1890 | — | — | 30 | #321 |
| 1885 | — | — | 23 | #376 |
| 1880 | — | — | 35 | #282 |
Famous people named Spencer
- Spencer Tracy Actor · 1900–1967
- Spencer Perceval Politician · 1762–1812
- Spencer Compton, 1st Earl of Wilmington Politician · 1673–1743
- Spencer Johnson Writer · 1938–2017
- Spencer Gore Tennis player · 1850–1906
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Spencer mean?
An occupational surname from Middle English Spenser, Spencer, Spensier, from the common noun spenser (“spencer”), denoting someone who works in a spense (“spence”), or as a butler or steward.
How popular is the name Spencer in 2025?
Spencer ranked #360 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 908 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Spencer?
129,638 babies have been named Spencer in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Spencer most popular?
Spencer peaked in 1998, when 4,780 newborns received the name.
Is Spencer a boy or girl name?
Spencer is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 96% of babies with the name.
Is the name Spencer rising or falling?
Spencer is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Spencer?
Well-known people named Spencer include Spencer Tracy (actor), Spencer Perceval (politician), Spencer Compton, 1st Earl of Wilmington (politician).