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Spencer as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Spencer

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The baby name Spencer is a Boy name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced SPEN-ser.

Spencer is Anglo-French, English, Latin, Old French in Origin.

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Origin: Anglo-French, English, Latin, Old French
Pronunciation: SPEN-ser

What is the meaning of the name Spencer ?

The baby name Spencer is a boy name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced SPEN-ser.

Spencer is Anglo-French, English, Latin, Old French in Origin.

Spencer began as an English occupational surname, with Middle English spenser as the earliest name-form. It belongs to the vocabulary of estate management: Middle English spense denoted a larder or pantry, while Anglo-French dispensour and Old French dispenseor continue Latin dispensator, an agent noun from dispensare, to weigh out, distribute, or administer. The literal sense is dispenser of provisions, later house steward.

As a given name, Spencer followed the English habit of transferring surnames to boys, especially in Britain and North America. The older spelling Spenser is associated with Edmund Spenser, author of The Faerie Queene, while the surname Spencer is prominent in the Churchill family and in Diana, Princess of Wales’s birth family. U.S. records show mainly male use, rising in the twentieth century and peaking in the late 1990s, with limited female use.

Spencer has the following similar or variant Names

Famous people with the name Spencer

Spencer Tracy Actor · Born 1900 · United States Spencer Tracy was a prominent American actor known for his versatile performances in classic films like 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner' and 'Inherit the Wind'. He captivated audiences with his natural acting style and was a key figure in Hollywood's Golden Age. His role in 'Judgment at Nuremberg' is also highly regarded. Spencer Perceval Politician · Born 1762 · United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Spencer Perceval is most famous for being the only British Prime Minister to have been assassinated. He served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1809 until his death in 1812. His leadership was marked by the Napoleonic Wars and economic challenges at home. Spencer Compton, 1st Earl of Wilmington Politician · Born 1674 · Kingdom of England Spencer Compton, 1st Earl of Wilmington, was a prominent English politician who served as the Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1742 to 1743. He played a key role in the political landscape of the Kingdom of England during the early 18th century. His leadership marked a significant period in British politics, although his time in office was relatively short.
Spencer Breslin Actor|musician · Born 1992 · United States Spencer Breslin is an American actor and musician best known for his roles in films like 'The Kid' alongside Bruce Willis and 'The Cat in the Hat' with Mike Myers. He began his career as a child actor and has also appeared in 'The Santa Clause 2' and its sequel. Beyond acting, Spencer has pursued music, showcasing his talents as a musician. Spencer Treat Clark Actor · Born 1987 · United States Spencer Treat Clark is an American actor best known for his roles in films like 'Gladiator' and 'Unbreakable'. He started his acting career as a child and has continued to work in both film and television. His performances have been praised for their depth and maturity. Spencer Locke Actor · Born 1991 · United States Spencer Locke is an American actor best known for her role as K-Mart in the Resident Evil film series. She also appeared in the movies Monster House and Cougar Town. Born in 1991, she has been active in the entertainment industry since she was a teenager.

Spencer – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
Ireland Boys 2025 #1 — 836
BW 0 #19 1 960
HT Boys 0 #33 2 903
HN Boys 0 #52 1 749
MO 0 #52 1 2,706
JP 0 #77 1 4,057
CN 0 #85 2 3,857
JM 0 #93 1 3,714
TW 0 #95 9 4,523
BN Girls 0 #114 1 5,459
OM 0 #120 2 6,215
KW 0 #121 1 5,216
CY Boys 0 #126 6 3,473
BN Boys 0 #137 3 6,332
BW Boys 0 #137 13 4,685
BW Girls 0 #151 1 4,216
CR 0 #160 6 5,526
PR Girls 0 #167 1 3,171
HU Boys 0 #174 1 3,954
MT Boys 0 #178 2 4,064
Sweden Boys 2022 #179 4 1,509
AE 0 #187 1 10,220
TW Boys 0 #188 54 7,111
Canada Boys 2024 #203 106 2,588
DK 0 #205 2 5,198
MO Boys 0 #211 13 5,842
LU Boys 0 #219 2 4,970
BG Boys 0 #220 1 3,850
BD 0 #240 2 5,992
GH 0 #246 3 5,396
AO Boys 0 #247 3 5,568
NG 0 #248 17 5,926
JP Girls 0 #251 1 6,592
SG 0 #251 19 11,010
NA Boys 0 #252 2 6,830
Canada Girls 2024 #254 32 2,795
JM Boys 0 #259 14 6,876
MO Girls 0 #261 3 7,056
CN Boys 0 #278 42 9,639
IL 0 #281 2 6,291
JP Boys 0 #287 11 7,909
TW Girls 0 #287 3 8,139
HR Girls 0 #294 1 3,687
KZ Boys 0 #295 2 6,578
HK 0 #305 44 8,483
SA 0 #307 6 10,560
CN Girls 0 #311 39 8,829
GH Boys 0 #312 34 8,138
PE 0 #328 2 6,350
DK Boys 0 #330 3 7,401
GH Girls 0 #336 2 6,973
GT 0 #337 2 5,948
HK Boys 0 #342 204 12,905
MY 0 #346 9 12,352
United States Boys 2024 #350 840 7,044
CZ Girls 0 #351 1 5,378
PH Boys 0 #357 27 11,440
BR 0 #359 2 5,969
MU Boys 0 #361 9 8,477
PL Girls 0 #364 1 5,096
France Boys 2021 #367 21 2,865
PT Boys 0 #378 4 7,951
JO Boys 0 #388 2 7,057
France Girls 2021 #399 7 3,185
UY Boys 0 #406 8 5,922
BO 0 #407 2 6,868
CR Boys 0 #422 66 10,188
ZA 0 #422 26 14,421
OM Girls 0 #424 1 15,987
PH Girls 0 #429 1 13,098
MX 0 #440 6 8,339
GT Boys 0 #460 15 7,625
SG Boys 0 #464 240 17,960
AR Boys 0 #481 3 7,628
PA Boys 0 #502 4 9,305
CO 0 #510 1 7,768
RU Girls 0 #519 5 11,913
RU Boys 0 #520 7 12,621
CM Boys 0 #525 26 12,054
IQ Girls 0 #525 1 11,303
UY Girls 0 #536 1 6,731
IR Girls 0 #545 1 8,334
CM Girls 0 #554 7 11,671
LY 0 #557 3 12,703
KW Girls 0 #560 2 19,177
PS Boys 0 #561 1 10,655
IR Boys 0 #564 2 10,162
CR Girls 0 #569 5 11,342
SG Girls 0 #577 10 18,916
BO Boys 0 #578 15 9,244
BH 0 #582 6 17,937
AE Girls 0 #595 3 20,968
HK Girls 0 #602 14 16,104
BD Boys 0 #603 3 10,045
IL Boys 0 #624 2 10,983
AR Girls 0 #630 1 8,289
CL Boys 0 #652 14 13,390
IN Girls 0 #653 2 13,121
Finland Boys 2026 #670 13 3,552
LB 0 #690 1 13,263
ZA Boys 0 #695 557 25,619
IQ Boys 0 #697 1 13,071
United States Girls 2024 #701 216 8,487
IT 0 #701 14 4,183
QA Boys 0 #735 9 18,093
KW Boys 0 #758 12 18,755
NG Boys 0 #761 195 16,906
NG Girls 0 #770 17 15,093
BR Boys 0 #779 7 12,213
PE Boys 0 #818 61 14,506
MY Boys 0 #852 262 25,439
TN 0 #859 7 13,765
OM Boys 0 #870 12 17,948
NL Boys 0 #885 67 5,873
CO Boys 0 #889 32 15,656
CL Girls 0 #912 4 14,098
Spain Boys 0 #912 19 5,610
Germany Boys 0 #921 32 5,697
EG Boys 0 #925 1 15,035
MX Boys 0 #926 57 16,355
SA Girls 0 #926 10 25,931
BR Girls 0 #987 6 12,708
EG Girls 0 #1,006 4 14,742
PE Girls 0 #1,007 4 14,861
IN Boys 0 #1,037 3 16,750
MY Girls 0 #1,064 9 24,821
AE Boys 0 #1,067 26 22,615
MA 0 #1,117 12 20,986
ZA Girls 0 #1,129 13 25,928
CO Girls 0 #1,144 9 16,140
DZ 0 #1,167 10 20,130
TR 0 #1,247 8 19,440
MX Girls 0 #1,259 9 17,781
IT Boys 0 #1,415 57 10,046
IT Girls 0 #1,431 16 9,415
SA Boys 0 #1,570 45 28,008

Spencer is popular in 73 countries — most recent births per country:

Canada
Scotland, United Kingdom
France
United States
Ireland

Did we miss something about this name? Let us know!

People also ask about Spencer

Spencer is a unisex name, given to both boys and girls.
Spencer is a 2 syllable name, pronounced SPEN-ser.
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Spenser and Spence.
Yes, very popular — Spencer ranked #1 in Ireland in 2025, and appears in official birth registries across 8 countries.
Spencer ranks highest in Ireland (#1 in 2025).
Yes — 15 notable people named Spencer are in our database, including Spencer Tracy (Actor), Spencer Perceval (Politician), Spencer Compton, 1st Earl of Wilmington (Politician).