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

Popularity of Lancelot by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Lancelot is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 9 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Lancelot.

The history of the first name Lancelot

The name Lancelot originated in Britain and has its roots in the Brittonic language, a Celtic language that was once spoken in parts of Great Britain. It is believed to be derived from the elements "lans" meaning "servant" or "follower" and "hlot" meaning "lot" or "share." Thus, the name Lancelot can be interpreted to mean something along the lines of "servant" or "follower of the lot."

The name gained significant prominence and popularity due to its association with the legendary figure of Sir Lancelot, one of the Knights of the Round Table in the Arthurian legends. These stories, which date back to the 12th century, depict Lancelot as the bravest and most skilled of King Arthur's knights, as well as the lover of Queen Guinevere. The name has been immortalized through these literary works, such as the French romance "Lancelot, the Knight of the Cart" by Chrétien de Troyes, written around 1180.

One of the earliest recorded individuals to bear the name Lancelot was Lancelot Patrice (born around 1150), a Breton knight and literary figure who is believed to have inspired aspects of the Arthurian tales. Another notable bearer of the name was Lancelot Blackburne (1658-1743), an English churchman and academic who served as Archbishop of York.

Throughout history, the name Lancelot has been borne by several notable individuals, including:

1. Lancelot "Capability" Brown (1716-1783), an English landscape architect renowned for his innovative garden designs.
2. Lancelot Addison (1632-1703), an English clergyman and author who wrote works on religious philosophy.
3. Lancelot Andrewes (1555-1626), an English bishop and scholar who played a significant role in the translation of the King James Bible.
4. Lancelot Blondeel (1619-1693), a Flemish Baroque painter known for his religious works and portraits.
5. Lancelot Hogben (1904-1975), a British mathematician, writer, and humanitarian who made significant contributions to the popularization of science.

The enduring popularity of the Arthurian legends, along with the name's unique and romantic connotations, has ensured that Lancelot has remained a beloved and recognizable name throughout the centuries, albeit with varying levels of usage over time.

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 Lancelot was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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