The nameJoyce
Joyce is a cheerful name that sounds like "joy". It was a top 15 American girl's name in the 1930s.
- Girl's name
- Breton
Meaning
Joyce comes from the Breton name Iudoc, "lord", borne by Saint Judoc. It is now linked to the word joy.
Origin
Breton, through Norman French.
History
Joyce was once a boy's name in medieval England, then became a girl's name. In the United States it reached 11th place in 1937. James Joyce carried it as a surname.
Famous people named Joyce
- Joyce Carol Oates, novelist
- Joyce Grenfell, actress
- Joyce DiDonato, mezzo-soprano
Popularity of the name Joyce
Joyce in the United States
Joyce was most popular in the United States in the 1940s, with 152,087 births over the decade, 30% of all recorded babies named Joyce. Its rise began around 1921, and it peaked in 1942. Half of all babies named Joyce in the United States were born before 1945, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 261 births a year on average, against 328 in the five years before.
Joyce in the United Kingdom
Joyce was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 317 births over the decade, 40% of all recorded babies named Joyce. Half of all babies named Joyce in the United Kingdom were born before 2010, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 18 births a year on average, against 23 in the five years before.
Joyce in Ireland
Joyce in France
Joyce in Belgium
Sibling names for Joyce
Names from the same generation as Joyce, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Joyce? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Joyce with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Joyce side by side with the name of your choice.
Joyce in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Joyce mean?
Joyce comes from the Breton name Iudoc, "lord", borne by Saint Judoc. It is now linked to the word joy.
What is the origin of the name Joyce?
Breton, through Norman French.
Is Joyce a girl's or a boy's name?
Joyce is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Joyce?
In 2024, Joyce was the 1044th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 240 births.
What are good sibling names for Joyce?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Salma, Corinne, Deborah and Jana for a sister, Stanley, Harold, Eugene and Salvatore for a brother.
Who are famous people named Joyce?
Joyce Carol Oates, novelist; Joyce Grenfell, actress; Joyce DiDonato, mezzo-soprano.