Lancelot

Meaning & origin

Lancelot is an uncommon male name in the United States. According to Social Security data, it first appeared on the records in 1908, the same year it reached its peak rank of 6,803. Since then it has remained rare, but its trajectory shows a rising trend since 2020. In 2025, about 1 in 142,340 boys received the name. The name's strong association with the Arthurian knight Sir Lancelot gives it a literary and romantic quality. Despite its medieval roots, Lancelot has never gained widespread popularity in the U.S., remaining a distinctive choice for parents seeking a legendary name.

Lancelot is a name of French origin, first recorded in the medieval Arthurian legends. It likely derives from the Old French phrase 'l'ancelot' meaning 'the servant,' or it may be a diminutive of 'Ancelot,' which itself comes from the Latin 'ancilla' (handmaid). The name was popularized by the character Sir Lancelot of the Round Table in Arthurian romance, particularly through the works of Chrétien de Troyes in the 12th century and later Sir Thomas Malory's 'Le Morte d'Arthur.' Despite its legendary associations, the name remained rare in English-speaking countries until the 20th century.