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Spencer

♂ Boy

Pronounced SPEN-ser /ˈspɛn.sər/High

Meaning: From Old French 'despensier' (steward, one who dispenses provisions), from 'despenser' (to dispense) — meaning 'keeper of provisions' or 'steward'.High

In 30 seconds: Spencer is an elegant Old French occupational surname meaning 'steward' — one who managed the household provisions. Refined, aristocratic, and forever associated with the Princess Diana's noble family.
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Origin HighOld French, Medieval English
MeaningFrom Old French 'despensier' (steward, one who dispenses provisions), from 'despenser' (to dispense) — meaning 'keeper of provisions' or 'steward'.
U.S. rank (2025)#360 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births908 boys (0.05% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1998
Total births (all-time)≈ 123,921

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199818802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Spencer derives from Old French despensier (steward, one who dispenses provisions in a household), from the verb despenser. A spencer was an officer responsible for the provisions and larder of a great household. The name became a hereditary surname among English and Norman families in the medieval period. Edmund Spenser (c. 1552–1599), author of The Faerie Queene, is an early notable bearer.

Spencer has been used as a given name in the English-speaking world since at least the nineteenth century. In the United States, it gained significant cultural traction in the late twentieth century, entering the top 100 boys' names in the 1990s. Princess Diana's maiden name Spencer brought additional aristocratic luster. Spencer can be used for both boys and girls, though boy usage is more common. It remains in the US top 200.

Did you know? Princess Diana was born Diana Frances Spencer — her family name Spencer is one of England's most ancient aristocratic surnames, the Earls Spencer having held their title since 1765 and their family roots going back to the fifteenth century, making Spencer synonymous with British aristocracy.
Overall data confidence 93%
Oxford Dictionary of English Surnames — Old French despensier etymology and aristocratic historySocial Security Administration Name Data — US popularity trends for Spencer

Variations

Spenser

Nicknames

Spence

Famous Bearers

  • ★Diana Frances Spencer (Princess Diana) (1961–1997)
    Princess of Wales whose family surname Spencer gave the name added aristocratic associations.
  • ★Edmund Spenser (c. 1552–1599)
    English Renaissance poet, author of The Faerie Queene.

If you like Spencer…

Hunter— two-syllable Old English occupational surname name with the same dignified, aristocratic quality
Archer— two-syllable Old English occupational surname name with the same medieval English professional heritage
Fletcher— two-syllable Old English occupational surname name from the same medieval household/military tradition

Frequently Asked

What does the name Spencer mean?

Spencer means 'keeper of provisions' or 'steward', from Old French despensier (one who dispenses household supplies).

How do you pronounce Spencer?

Spencer is pronounced SPEN-ser (/ˈspɛn.sər/), two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Spencer a boy or girl name?

Spencer is used for both boys and girls but is predominantly a boy's name in current US usage.

How popular is Spencer?

Spencer has been in the US top 100–200 boys' names since the 1990s and remains a classic choice.