Lance is a strong and hearty name for boys. Reminiscent of the days of heroism and gallantry, Lance is a current favorite among top-tier athletes. The name also plays a memorable role in popular culture. Lance Charles McClain is the blue paladin in the Voltron Universe, and both Lance Alvers and Lance Hunter appear in the Marvel Universe. Keep reading to learn more about this baby name.
Meaning of the name Lance:
German: Land, territory
Latin: Combat weapon, spear
Origin of the name Lance:
Lance is the English variation of the Germanic name Lanzo. This name derives from the Old Germanic element landa (meaning “land”). The name Lance referred to the landed gentry or others who owned or lived near good land. By the Middle Ages, Lance had become a homonym of the French word lance. This word derives from the Latin lancea (meaning “combat weapon” or “spear”). Lance is also the short form of Lancelot, one of the 12 major knights in Arthurian legends.
Symbolism of the name Lance:
Lance originally derived from the Old Germanic word for “land.” However, most people now associate Lance with the combat weapon or with the legendary knight called Lancelot. In Arthurian literature, Lancelot is the prototype of the chivalrous warrior. Symbols for Lancelot include the dragon, the spear, and the sword.
Style of the name Lance:
Classic
Gender of the name Lance:
Lance is a boy's name.
Pronunciation of the name Lance:
LANS
Number of syllables in the name Lance:
One
Emotion evoked from the name Lance:
The name Lance evokes feelings of valiance and vigor.
Alternative spellings for the name Lance:
- Launce
- Lantz
Nicknames for the name Lance:
- Lancy
- Lancie
- Lanny
- Lannie
Popularity of the name Lance:
According to the Social Security Administration index, Lance was the 757th most popular name for boys in 2020.
Related names for the name Lance:
Great middle names for Lance and their meanings:
- Alberic (elf ruler, magical being)
- Bennett (blessed)
- Cameron (crooked nose, bent river)
- Finlay (fair warrior)
- Gordon (great hill, large fortification)
- Mason (stone worker)
- Neville (new town)
- Skylar (scholar)
- Tanner (leather maker)
- Theodore (gift of God)
Famous people with the name Lance:
- Lance Dwight Alworth (football player)
- Lance Edward Armstrong (road racing cyclist)
- Lance Bass (singer)
- Lance William Berkman (baseball player)
- Lance Timothy Evers (wrestler)
- Lance Cameron Gunn (football player)
- Lance Allan Ito (judge)
- Lance Noel Macklin (racing driver)
- Lance Peter Sijan (pilot)
- Lance Day White (politician)
Lance in popular culture:
- Lance Alvers (character in the Marvel Universe)
- Lance Amano (character in Ace Attorney)
- Lance Hunter (character in the Marvel Universe)
- Lance Charles McClain (blue paladin in the Voltron Universe)
- Dr. Lance Sweets (character on television's Bones)