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Home › Baby Names Directory › Spence

Spence

♂ Boy

Pronounced SPENS /ˈspɛns/High

Meaning: A short form of Spencer, from the Middle English occupational surname for a dispenser of provisions — the steward who kept a great household's larder or 'spence'. Used on its own as a crisp modern name.Medium

In 30 seconds: A trim surname short form: Spence comes from Spencer, the keeper of a household's larder (said 'SPENS').
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Origin MediumEnglish
MeaningA short form of Spencer, from the Middle English occupational surname for a dispenser of provisions — the steward who kept a great household's larder or 'spence'. Used on its own as a crisp modern name.
U.S. rank (2024)#13914 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1970
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,113

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 197019022024

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Spence is the clipped form of Spencer, an occupational surname for the officer who dispensed provisions from a lord's spence or pantry. The full name has long been fashionable; the short form has a brisk, modern snap that suits current taste for one-syllable boys' names. Crisp, preppy, and easy (said 'SPENS').

It appears only rarely for boys in the U.S., far behind Spencer. Rare, trim, and preppy.

Did you know? A 'spence' was the pantry of a medieval great house, and the spencer was the steward who kept it. Spence is the short, brisk form of that old job title (said 'SPENS').
Overall data confidence 55%
References — Spence — Short form of Spencer; occupational surname

Variations

SpencerSpense

Nicknames

Spency

Famous Bearers

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Spence mean?

Spence is a short form of Spencer, from the occupational surname for the steward who dispensed provisions from a household's larder.

How do you pronounce Spence?

It's said SPENS /ˈspɛns/ — one syllable.

Is Spence a boy or girl name?

Spence is a boy's name.

How popular is Spence?

Spence is a rare name for boys in the U.S., well behind Spencer.

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