Holding steady.
Popularity of Ponce since 1916
Babies named Ponce per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1949, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Ponce's real moment was 1940.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 11 |
| 1920s | 11 |
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 22 |
| 1950s | 27 |
| 1960s | 37 |
| 1970s | 22 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Ponce is a rare given name with Spanish and French roots, first recorded in U.S. data in 1916. Its peak year was 1940, after which usage declined and stabilized at very low levels. The name has no recorded rank in recent years and its 1-in-N metric is unavailable, reflecting its extreme rarity. While top states for Ponce are not available, its historical usage aligns with areas of Spanish and French heritage. Parents considering Ponce today would be choosing a distinctive name with a connection to classical and medieval history, but one with very little modern familiarity.
Ponce is a name of debated origin, most commonly traced to the Latin nomen Pontius, derived from 'pons' meaning 'bridge'. It was used as a given name in medieval Spain and France, often associated with the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, though the name predates him. In Spanish tradition, it may also be a patronymic from the medieval name Pons. The name saw modest use in the United States, particularly in the early 20th century, but remains rare.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Pons, Pontius
Sibling names for Ponce
Names that share Ponce's style, for a brother or sister.
