Lancelot
From Middle English Launcelot, from Old French Lancelot, from Frankish *Lanzo, hypocoristic form of names beginning in *Land-, from Proto-Germanic *landą (“land”), and…
Every Lancelot since 1908 — 638 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Lancelot
Lancelot is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #7,034 in 2025 with 12 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1908, 638 American babies have been named Lancelot. Its peak came in 1984, when 18 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Lancelot stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Lancelot year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | #7,034 |
| 2024 | 8 | #9,505 |
| 2023 | 9 | #8,638 |
| 2022 | 6 | #11,702 |
| 2021 | 5 | #13,271 |
| 2020 | 5 | #13,258 |
| 2019 | 6 | #11,577 |
| 2018 | 6 | #11,581 |
| 2017 | 6 | #11,591 |
| 2016 | 10 | #7,918 |
| 2015 | 11 | #7,346 |
| 2014 | 5 | #13,231 |
| 2013 | 7 | #10,286 |
| 2012 | 9 | #8,582 |
| 2011 | 9 | #8,493 |
| 2010 | 14 | #6,237 |
| 2009 | 8 | #9,521 |
| 2008 | 10 | #8,053 |
| 2007 | 11 | #7,398 |
| 2006 | 16 | #5,442 |
| 2005 | 12 | #6,461 |
| 2004 | 14 | #5,667 |
| 2003 | 11 | #6,534 |
| 2002 | 11 | #6,347 |
| 2001 | 11 | #6,266 |
| 2000 | 11 | #6,156 |
| 1995 | 16 | #3,977 |
| 1990 | 12 | #4,562 |
| 1985 | 9 | #4,541 |
| 1980 | 8 | #4,759 |
| 1975 | 9 | #3,804 |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | 8 | #3,127 |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | 6 | #3,711 |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | 6 | #4,058 |
| 1915 | 5 | #4,125 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Lancelot
- Lancelot Hogben Biologist · 1895–1975
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lancelot mean?
From Middle English Launcelot, from Old French Lancelot, from Frankish *Lanzo, hypocoristic form of names beginning in *Land-, from Proto-Germanic *landą (“land”), and diminutive Old French endings -el and -ot.
How popular is the name Lancelot in 2025?
Lancelot ranked #7,034 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 12 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Lancelot?
638 babies have been named Lancelot in the United States since 1908, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Lancelot most popular?
Lancelot peaked in 1984, when 18 newborns received the name.
Is Lancelot a boy or girl name?
Lancelot is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Lancelot rising or falling?
Lancelot is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Lancelot?
Well-known people named Lancelot include Lancelot Hogben (biologist).