Find out how popular the first name Chance has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Chance by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Chance is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 98% of people named Chance being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 847 male babies and 26 female babies born with the name Chance.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 26 baby girls were named Chance in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Chance

The name Chance originates from the Old French word "chance", which means "good luck" or "fortune". It likely derives from the Latin word "cadere", meaning "to fall" or "to happen". The name gained popularity in the Middle Ages, reflecting the belief in fate and destiny.

Chance was initially used as a surname, referring to a person who was considered fortunate or lucky. Over time, it evolved into a given name, embracing the notion of serendipity and opportunity. The name's popularity grew during the Renaissance period when the concepts of chance and probability were widely explored in fields like mathematics and philosophy.

In literature, the name Chance appears in the 16th-century play "The Alchemist" by Ben Jonson, where a character named Chance symbolizes the unpredictable nature of life. Additionally, the novel "The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders" by Daniel Defoe, published in 1722, features a character named Moll Chance, further solidifying the name's association with luck and chance encounters.

One of the earliest recorded instances of Chance as a given name dates back to the 17th century. A notable figure was Chance Dighton, an English mariner born in 1660, known for his explorations and expeditions in the South Pacific.

In the 18th century, Chance Vaughan (1731-1795) was a British politician and Member of Parliament, representing St. Michael's Borough. His name reflected the growing acceptance of Chance as a given name among the upper classes.

Moving into the 19th century, Chance Horton (1805-1868) was an American entrepreneur and industrialist who founded the Chance Brothers Glass Company, a prominent manufacturer of glass products in the United States.

Another notable figure was Chance Cravath (1855-1927), an American lawyer and jurist who served as a justice on the Supreme Court of Tennessee. His name exemplified the rise of Chance as a given name in the United States during this period.

In the 20th century, Chance Wayne (1915-1995) was an American actor and singer who appeared in numerous Broadway productions and Hollywood films, showcasing the name's continued popularity in the entertainment industry.

While the name Chance has its origins rooted in concepts of fortune and serendipity, it has evolved to encompass a sense of opportunity, potential, and embracing the unexpected. Its enduring presence throughout history reflects the human fascination with the unpredictable nature of life and the belief in the power of chance encounters and events.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Chance was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Chance, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!