Chauncey is a unique and distinctive given name, of American origin, that has been used historically for both males and females. Derived from the Middle English 'Chance', which means 'luck' or 'fortune', Chauncey was initially used as a surname before evolving into a first name in the late 19th century. Today, it is still relatively uncommon, adding to its uniqueness and appeal for those seeking a distinctive name for their child.
The name Chauncey experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the past century. It first appeared with notable frequency around the mid-20th century, with a peak of 9 births in 1970. The name then reached its zenith in the late 1980s to early 1990s, with a record high of 26 births in 1992. However, it seems Chauncey's popularity has declined sharply since the late 1990s, with fewer than 12 births recorded annually since then, and only five births each year from 2007 onwards. Despite these recent trends, Chauncey remains a name with a rich history, having been given to at least 508 children over the course of its usage.