Declining since 2001, #4,396 for boys today.
Popularity of Chancellor since 1916
Babies named Chancellor per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 0 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 13 |
| 1970s | 84 |
| 1980s | 186 |
| 1990s | 669 |
| 2000s | 810 |
| 2010s | 659 |
| 2020s | 217 |
Meaning & origin
Chancellor is a rare, historically rooted name that has seen modest but persistent use in the United States since 1916, when it first appeared in Social Security records. The name peaked in popularity in the year 2001, though even then it never entered common usage. Since 2001, its frequency has been generally falling, reflecting a broader trend toward less formal or more traditional occupational names. In the most recent year of data (2021), approximately 1 in every 74,264 newborn boys was named Chancellor, placing it at rank 4,396. This rarity gives the name a distinctive, authoritative feel, appealing to parents drawn to titles like Governor or Judge. Its association with high academic office also lends it an intellectual edge.
Chancellor derives from the Latin 'cancellarius', meaning 'keeper of the chancery' or 'doorkeeper of a court', via Old French 'chancelier'. It entered English as an occupational surname for a secretary or high official. As a given name, it has seen occasional use since the early 20th century, often chosen for its dignified, professional connotations.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Chan, Chance, Celly
Variants: Chancelor
Sibling names for Chancellor
Names that share Chancellor's style, for a brother or sister.
