What Does the Name Vance Mean?
Vance is a boy's name of English (locational surname) origin meaning “dweller by the marsh or fen.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Vance |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | English (locational surname) |
| Meaning | dweller by the marsh or fen |
| Variants | Vince, Vanse |
| Popularity | A modern given name used chiefly in the United States. |
The meaning and origin of Vance
The name Vance means “dweller by the marsh or fen” and has English (locational surname) origins. An English surname from Old English 'fenn' (marsh, fen), denoting someone who lived near a marsh. It is now used as a given name.
Variants and related names
Vance is related to several other names you may recognize: Vince, Vanse. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Vance?
A modern given name used chiefly in the United States.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Vance mean?+
The name Vance means “dweller by the marsh or fen” and is of English (locational surname) origin.
What is the origin of the name Vance?+
Vance originates from English (locational surname).
Is Vance a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Vance has trended in the US over time.
Vance by gender
More boy's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press