A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Chancey since 1883
Babies named Chancey per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1978, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Chancey's real moment was 1883.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 15 |
| 1890s | 0 | 10 |
| 1900s | 0 | 0 |
| 1910s | 5 | 85 |
| 1920s | 0 | 100 |
| 1930s | 0 | 50 |
| 1940s | 0 | 37 |
| 1950s | 0 | 24 |
| 1960s | 0 | 46 |
| 1970s | 59 | 199 |
| 1980s | 141 | 277 |
| 1990s | 184 | 196 |
| 2000s | 70 | 102 |
| 2010s | 27 | 65 |
| 2020s | 19 | 22 |
Meaning & origin
Chancey is a rare unisex name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1883, when it peaked in popularity at rank 9,714. After a long period of sparse use, the name has been rising again since 2022, though it remains uncommon, with just 1 in 244,011 newborns receiving it in 2025. Its revival aligns with renewed interest in vintage surnames and 'chance'-themed names. While it did not appear among top states in any decade, its sound and spelling fit the modern trend toward surname-style given names with soft consonants and an 'ee' ending. The name's similarity to the well-known Chauncey gives it a quietly distinguished air, while its direct association with the word 'chance' appeals to parents seeking a name with optimistic overtones.
Chancey appears to be a variant of the surname Chauncey, which has Norman French origins. Chauncey is a locational name derived from places in France such as Chancé or Chency, and it may be linked to the Latin 'cancelli' meaning 'lattice' or 'chancel'. Alternatively, some sources connect it to the Old French 'chancelier' for 'chancellor'. The spelling Chancey emerged as an Americanized form in the 19th century, likely influenced by the common noun 'chance'.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Chan, Chance
Sibling names for Chancey
Names that share Chancey's style, for a brother or sister.
