Lance
Meaning of Lance
Lance carries the clang of steel and the swish of adventure in its five brisk letters. Growing out of Old French—where a “lance” was the knight’s trusty spear—and possibly from the medieval pet-form Lanzo, the name has long been linked with courage and forward motion. Sir Lancelot of Arthurian legend lends it a gallant sparkle, while modern bearers like astronaut Lance Bean, cyclist Lance Armstrong, singer Lance Bass, and actor Lance Reddick show it can trade chain mail for spandex, a mic, or a movie set without losing its edge. In the U.S. charts, Lance galloped all the way into the Top 100 during the free-wheeling 1970s before easing into today’s comfortable middle ranks—think seasoned knight rather than rookie squire. Parents who choose Lance often say they love its straight-arrow sound, its hint of chivalry, and the fact that it feels both approachable and strong. If you’re looking for a name that suggests a ready smile and a ready-for-anything spirit, Lance hits the mark.
Pronunciation
English
- Pronunced as LANS (/læns/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Lance
| Lance Armstrong, an American former cyclist, won the Tour de France seven consecutive times but was later stripped of his titles and banned from the sport for doping. |
| James Lance Bass gained fame as the bass singer of the hugely successful boy band NSYNC, leading to his career in acting and producing. |
| Lance McCullers Jr. is a Houston Astros pitcher and a 2017 All-Star. |
| Lance Briggs is a former Chicago Bears linebacker who earned seven Pro Bowl selections and formed one of the NFL's greatest tandems with Brian Urlacher. |
| Lance Lenoir is an American former professional football wide receiver who played college football at Western Illinois. |
| Lance Allan Ito is an American retired judge who presided over the 1995 O. J. Simpson murder case trial in Los Angeles. |
| Lance Moore is a former NFL wide receiver who won Super Bowl XLIV with the New Orleans Saints during his 10-season career. |
| Lance Blanks was an NBA player for the Pistons and Timberwolves, a general manager for the Suns, and an ESPN analyst, with experience playing in Europe. |
| Lance Darnell Gross is an American actor and model best known for winning four NAACP Image Awards for his role as Calvin Payne on Tyler Perry's House of Payne. |
| Lance William Greyling served as a South African National Assembly member from 1999 to 2015, holding roles like chief whip and shadow minister before resigning to work for the Cape Town mayor. |
| Lance Anthony O'Sullivan is a New Zealand Thoroughbred trainer and former champion jockey. |
| Lance McIlhenny is a former college football quarterback who led the SMU Mustangs to two Southwest Conference championships. |
| Lance Gun - Lancelot Townsend Gun was an Australian first-class cricketer and lawyer, believed to be the first bowler to use bodyline tactics. |
| Lance Armstrong - Lance John Edward Armstrong was an Australian politician from Perth who served in Tasmania and later as a Uniting Church minister in Albury. |
| Lance Castles was an Australian scholar specializing in Indonesian history, economics, and politics. |
