Spencer - Name Meaning and Origin

The boy's and girl's name Spencer \s-pen-cer, sp(e)-ncer\ is pronounced SPEN-ser. It is of Middle English origin, and its meaning is "dispenser of provisions". Occupational name. Familiar since the 1930s primarily due to actor Spencer Tracy. Actor John Spender; poet Edmund Spenser.

Spencer has 2 variant forms: Spence and Spenser.

Spencer is a popular male first name and a very popular surname (source: 1990 U.S. Census). Displayed below is the baby name popularity trend for the boy's name Spencer. Click here to compare Spencer with related baby names.