Declining since 1989, #7,679 for boys today.
Popularity of Rance since 1882
Babies named Rance per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1962, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Rance's real moment was 1890.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5 |
| 1890s | 6 |
| 1900s | 8 |
| 1910s | 78 |
| 1920s | 109 |
| 1930s | 144 |
| 1940s | 228 |
| 1950s | 359 |
| 1960s | 461 |
| 1970s | 386 |
| 1980s | 365 |
| 1990s | 317 |
| 2000s | 283 |
| 2010s | 184 |
| 2020s | 69 |
Meaning & origin
Rance is a rare masculine name that saw its highest usage in the 1890s, reaching a peak in 1890, according to U.S. Social Security data. After a period of modest use, it has been in decline since 1989, and in 2025 it ranked 7679 with a frequency of about 1 in 170,808 births. The name's etymology is uncertain but may stem from an English surname or as a short form of Laurence. Its history reflects a broader pattern of surname-to-first-name adoption in the United States. Despite its rarity, Rance has no recorded top-state popularity in recent decades, underscoring its status as an uncommon choice.
Rance is likely derived from an English surname, which itself may have originated as a variant of Rance, a place name in England. It could also be a short form of Laurence, though this connection is uncertain. The name saw modest use in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in the United States, but has since declined in popularity.
Sibling names for Rance
Names that share Rance's style, for a brother or sister.
