The first name Spencer

In 2025, 298 boys were named Spencer, making it the 170th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2003, with 617 births (#90).

Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Spencer with other names.

In 2025, 908 boys born in the United States were named Spencer, the 360th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1998, when 4,619 were.

US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

Spelled Spencer in Polish too.

Nicknames for Spencer

• Spence
• Spenny

• Spencer Tracy
  American actor (1900–1967)
• Spencer Perceval
  19th-century prime minister of the United Kingdom (1762–1812)
• Spencer Fullerton Baird
  American naturalist, ornithologist, ichthyologist, museum curator, and the 2nd Secretary o, 1823–1887
• Spencer Tunick
  American photographer, born 1967
• Spencer Breslin
  American actor and musician, born 1992
• Spencer Treat Clark
  American actor, born 1987
• Spencer Cox
  18th Governor of Utah since 2021
• Spencer Locke
  American actress, born 1991
• Patrick Spencer Johnson
  American writer, 1938–2017
• Spencer Grammer
  American actress, born 1983
• Spencer Gore
  British tennis player (1850–1906)
• Spencer Abraham
  American attorney, author and politician (born 1952)

• Tyler
• Alfred
• Blake
• Grayson
• Stanley
• Tom
• Wyatt
• Miles
• Brandon
• Maxwell
• Landon
• Bradley
• Wesley
• Colton
• Hugh
• Otis

All 216 names of English origin

What does the name Spencer mean?

Spencer means “spencer”, “spence” in English.

What is the origin of the name 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 as a butler or steward.

How popular is the name Spencer?

In 2025, 298 boys born in England and Wales were named Spencer, ranking 170th. Its peak was 2003, with 617 births.

What are nicknames for Spencer?

Common nicknames for Spencer include Spence, Spenny.

Is Spencer a boy's or a girl's name?

Mostly a boy's name: 96% of the 129,638 US babies named Spencer since 1880 were boys.

When was Spencer most popular?

1998 in the United States, when 4,619 babies were named Spencer, its highest rank at 84th.

How do you pronounce Spencer?

Spencer is /ˈspɛnsɚ/, 2 syllables.

What are other spellings of Spencer?

Spenser.

Is Spencer also a surname?

Yes. Spencer is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.