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Spencer (given name)

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For other uses, see Spencer.
Spencer
GenderUnisex
Language(s)English
Origin
Meaning"dispenser of provisions"
Other names
Nickname(s)Spence

Spencer is a given name of British origin, that means "steward" or "administrator". It is a shortened form of the English word dispenser, which derives from Anglo-French dispensour, from Old French dispenseor, from Latin dispensatorem, the agent noun of dispensare, meaning "to disperse, administer, and distribute (by weight)".[1] The name originated as the surname Spencer, but later gradually came to be used as a given name as well.

From its origin as a surname, it has been given to both males and females,[2] but it has historically been more common as a name for males.[2] According to the Social Security Administration of the United States, its popularity as a male given name began increasing steadily in the early twentieth century[2] and spiked dramatically in the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s.[2] Its usage peaked in 1998 with 4,619 baby boys named Spencer in that year.[2] In the late 2000s, the name's popularity for male infants declined and plateaued at between roughly 1,500 and 1,400 boys named Spencer each year.[2]

Its usage as a female given name began to gradually increase in the late 1970s before suddenly taking off in the mid-1980s.[2] Female usage of the name declined in the late 2000s,[2] but has been rising rapidly since 2009.[2] 244 baby girls were named Spencer in 2016.[2]

List of persons with the given name

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  • Spencer Rice (born 1967), Canadian writer, director, producer, and comedian
  • Spencer Ross (born 1940), American sportscaster

•Spencer Reid- a character in criminal minds

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Fictional characters

References

  1. ^ Harper, Douglas. "Dispenser". Online Etymology Dictionary. etymonline.com.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Spencer". The Name Meaning. thenamemeaning.com. {{cite web}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
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