Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Spencer

The name Spencer is the transferred use of an English surname with French origins. This surname is derived from an occupation name originally described as a “despencier” (‘to weigh’) which signified a man in charge of purchasing and distributing all food and provisions within a royal or noble household or a monastery. This was a position of great importance, and usually only lesser in status to the Steward (one who controlled all domestic affairs within a household). The other two critical household employees were the Marshal (who handled the horses) and the Butler (who administered the household staff). The most prominent of modern-day Spencers was Lady Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales. Her family claimed descent from the “despencier” to William the Conqueror, in 1066. As a male given name, it seems that Spencer has been around since at least the 19th century. Adding currency to the name was Spencer Tracy, a prominent mid-century film star.

All About the Baby Name – Spencer

Personality

OF THE BOY NAME SPENCER

The number Eight personality has everything to do with power, wealth and abundance. Somehow, this personality has been blessed on the material plane, but their authoritative and problem-solving traits provide evidence that their good fortunes are not just the luck of the lottery. They are well earned. This is the personality of CEOs and high-ranking military personnel. Eights are intensely active, hard-driving individuals. Success is only meaningful to them after a job well-done.  They are remarkable in their ability to see the larger picture right down to the smallest details, and organize a strategy around success. They then have the ability to direct a group around them toward any goal, and realize individual potential to get the most out of their team.

Popularity

OF THE BOY NAME SPENCER

The name Spencer has been around in America since the U.S. government began tracking naming trends in 1880. The name has consistently achieved pretty moderate success, but its peak popularity came in the 1990s when it managed to slip onto the Top 100 list for a few years. Since the turn of the 21st century, Spencer has been showing backwards momentum on the charts. The name is no longer a Top 200 favorite. Spencer is a name with an English flavor which gives it that erudite sensibility. Plus, it’s just plain cute for a little boy. The name is simple, yet energetic. The short version, Spence, is too-cool-for-school. We hope to see more parents “dispense” this name upon their little boys in future years.

Quick Facts

ON SPENCER

GENDER:

Boy

ORIGIN:

English

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

251

PRONUNCIATION:

SPEHN-ser

SIMPLE MEANING:

To weigh, dispenser

Characteristics

OF SPENCER

Authoritative

Powerful

Tough

Tenacious

Wealthy

Problem-solver

Achiever

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Spencer

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME SPENCER

We cannot find any significant literary characters by the name of Spencer

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME SPENCER

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Spencer


Popular Songs

ON SPENCER

We cannot find any popular or well-known songs with the name of Spencer


Famous People

NAMED SPENCER

Spencer Tracy (actor)
Spencer Perceval (former Prime Minister of the UK)
Spencer Abraham (politician)
Spencer Ackerman (journalist)
Spencer Fullerton Baird (naturalist)
Spencer Breslin (teen actor)
Spencer Dryden (drummer)
Spencer Folau (football player)
Spencer Havner (football player)
Spencer Hawes (basketball player)
Spencer Haywood (basketball player)
Spencer Johnson (author of Who Moved My Cheese?)
Spencer Johnson (football player)
Spencer Larsen (football player)
Spencer Levin (golfer)
Spencer Rochfort (actor)
Spencer Tillman (football player)

Children of Famous People

NAMED SPENCER

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Spencer

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME SPENCER

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Spencer