Chanze
A unisex name of African origin signifying "rebirth" or "good luck".
Name Census estimates that about 323 living Americans carry the first name Chanze. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Chanze today is around 17 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Chanze births was 2014 (20 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Chanze. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
323
~ 1 in 1,061,159 Americans
Peak year
2014
20 babies that year
Average age
17
years old
2024 SSA rank
#8,410
Tracked since 1988
Popularity
Chanze: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Chanze from the 1980s through to the 2020s, spanning 5 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 111 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Chanze remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Chanze by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Chanze during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Chanze
The name Chanze is believed to have its origins in the ancient Bantu languages of Central Africa, particularly in the regions that are now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola. The name is thought to be derived from the word "chanza," which means "journey" or "adventure" in several Bantu dialects.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Chanze can be found in an ancient Kongo kingdom chronicle from the 15th century. The chronicle mentions a warrior named Chanze who was known for his bravery and skill in battle. This suggests that the name may have been associated with strength and courage in its early usage.
In the 16th century, there are records of a Chanze who was a prominent trader in the kingdom of Kongo. He was known for his travels and his ability to navigate the complex trade routes of the region. This further reinforces the connection between the name and the idea of journeying or exploring.
Throughout the centuries, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Chanze. One example is Chanze Mvuama, a renowned Kongo sculptor who lived in the late 18th century. His woodcarvings and masks are celebrated for their intricate details and cultural significance.
Another famous Chanze was Chanze Ngongo, a 19th-century Kongo poet and storyteller. His work played a crucial role in preserving the oral traditions and folklore of his people. His poems and stories often celebrated the beauty of nature and the resilience of the human spirit.
In the 20th century, Chanze Mwanza was a respected Congolese politician and diplomat who played a significant role in the country's struggle for independence from Belgian colonial rule. He served as a member of the Congolese National Movement and was a vocal advocate for self-determination and human rights.
While the name Chanze may not be as widely recognized globally as some other names, it carries a rich history and cultural significance within the Bantu-speaking communities of Central Africa. Its connection to the concepts of journeying, adventure, and exploration have been woven into its meaning over the centuries, reflecting the resilience and spirit of the people who have carried this name through generations.
People
Chanze + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Chanze as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with C
Other first names starting with C with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Chanze: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Chanze?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 323 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Chanze going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 1,061,159 US residents.
Is Chanze a common name?
We classify Chanze as "Very Rare". It ranks above 80% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 327 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Chanze most popular?
The single biggest year for Chanze was 2014, when 20 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Chanze is about 17 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Chanze a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Chanze in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.