Holding steady.
Popularity of Nance since 1913
Babies named Nance per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1947, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Nance's real moment was 1932.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 30 |
| 1920s | 59 |
| 1930s | 162 |
| 1940s | 187 |
| 1950s | 224 |
| 1960s | 87 |
| 1970s | 12 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Nance is a name that enjoyed its heyday in the early 20th century, peaking in 1932 as a relatively rare but recognizable choice. Since then, it has become virtually unused, with no recorded births in the latest data from 2025. The name's trajectory has been stable at near-zero usage since the 1950s, making it a curious relic of a bygone era. Its etymology is uncertain, with one theory suggesting it originated as a short form of Nancy or as a transferred use of a Cornish surname. Nance never broke into the top 1000 nationwide, but its quiet charm evokes the simplicity of interwar naming trends.
Nance emerged as a given name in the English-speaking world, likely as a short form of Nancy (itself from Ann) or as a transferred use of the Cornish surname Nance, derived from Cornish 'nans' meaning 'valley'. It saw modest popularity in the early 20th century, particularly in the 1930s when it peaked.
Sibling names for Nance
Names that share Nance's style, for a brother or sister.
