How to say it
CHANCE
tʃæns
Masculine
Chance
Fortune, good luck
What it means
An English word name from chance, 'fortune' or 'good luck,' from the Old French cheance (a fall of the dice).
Chance is a word name carrying the sense of luck and good fortune, from the Old French cheance, literally a 'falling' of the dice. It also began as a short for the surname Chauncey. It reads breezy, optimistic, and a touch Southern, and got a fresh profile from Chance the Rapper. It fits the one-syllable set with Ace and Cash. Plain and upbeat.
How to spell Chance
The standard spelling is Chance. Common variants include Chanse, Chaunce, but Chance is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #154 in 1996, currently #442 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
The word 'chance' (fortune/luck); also once a short for Chauncey.
- Pop culture
Chance the Rapper.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Chance the Rapper American rapper and singer
Spelling variants
- Chanse
- Chaunce
Names with the same feeling
See Chance from another angle
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Chance mean?
- An English word name from chance, 'fortune' or 'good luck,' from the Old French cheance (a fall of the dice).
- What does Chance mean in English?
- In English, Chance means "Fortune, good luck." Chance is a word name carrying the sense of luck and good fortune, from the Old French cheance, literally a 'falling' of the dice. It also began as a short for the surname Chauncey. It reads breezy, optimistic, and a touch Southern, and got a fresh profile from Chance the Rapper. It fits the one-syllable set with Ace and Cash. Plain and upbeat.
- Is Chance short for Chauncey?
- Yes. Chance is a short form of Chauncey, and it carries the same meaning, "Fortune, good luck." These days many parents use Chance as a given name in its own right, not only as a nickname.
- How do you pronounce Chance?
- Chance is pronounced tʃæns. Say it as CHANCE, with the stress on the "chance" syllable.
- How do you spell Chance?
- The standard spelling is Chance. Common spelling variants include Chanse, Chaunce.
- Is Chance a boy or girl name?
- Chance is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Chance?
- Chance ranked #442 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.