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Home › Baby Names Directory › Vance

Vance

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Vance

Pronounced VANTS /væns/High

Meaning: Dweller near the marshes; from Middle English fens or fan (marsh, fen); or from a place called Vans in ScotlandMedium

In 30 seconds: An English surname meaning 'dweller near the marshes,' from fens or fann. Associated with Cyrus Vance (Secretary of State 1977–1980), J.D. Vance (Vice President 2025–), and the author of Hillbilly Elegy.
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Origin MediumEnglish
MeaningDweller near the marshes; from Middle English fens or fan (marsh, fen); or from a place called Vans in Scotland
U.S. rank (2025)#1080 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births200 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1969
Total births (all-time)≈ 26,811
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Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 196918802025

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

Vance is an English surname of uncertain but likely Old English origin, possibly from fenn (marsh, fen) referring to families who lived near wetlands, or from a Scottish/English place called Vans or Vance. As a given name it is a modern American adoption.

Vance has been used as a given name in the U.S. since the 19th century. It ranked #996 for boys in 2024.

Did you know? J.D. Vance's memoir Hillbilly Elegy (2016) — named #4 on the 2016 New York Times bestseller list — made the surname Vance nationally recognized before his entry into politics, giving the name a dual literary-political profile.
Overall data confidence 80%
Behind the Name — Vance — etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

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Nicknames

Van

Famous Bearers

  • ★Vance Packard (1914-1996)
    American journalist and author of The Hidden Persuaders
  • ★Vance Joy (1987-)
    Australian singer-songwriter known for the song Riptide
  • ★Vance DeGeneres (1954-)
    American musician, actor and former Daily Show correspondent

If you like Vance…

Lance— one-syllable -ance ending name with the same crisp, confident sound
Chance— one-syllable -ance ending name with the same American frontier feel
Pierce— one-syllable surname name with the same short, polished character
Blake— one-syllable surname name with the same crisp American confidence
Grant— one-syllable presidential surname name with the same American authority

Explore names like Vance

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Vance mean?

Vance means 'dweller near the marshes,' from Middle English fens or fann (marsh, wetland).

How do you pronounce Vance?

It's said VANTS — one syllable.

Is Vance a boy or girl name?

Vance is used as a boys' name.

How popular is Vance?

Vance ranked #996 for U.S. boys in 2024.

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