Joyce
Joyce: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /dอกสษษชs/
Meaning and origin of Joyce
Root meaning: โlordโ
- A female given name from the Celtic languages, associated by folk etymology with joy and rejoice.
Etymology
Medieval (Middle English) given name from Old French Josse, name of a seventh century saint Latinized as Iodocus, from Breton Iodoc, diminutive of iudh (โlordโ), from Proto-Celtic *yowdos.
How popular is Joyce?
Since 1880, 509,332 girls and 2,900 boys in the U.S. have been named Joyce (99% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #11 in 1937. Its highest rank for boys was #625 in 1932. In 2025, 233 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Joyce
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Celtic girl names
Sibling name ideas for Joyce
Sister and brother names that share Joyce's Celtic roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Joyce FAQ
What does the name Joyce mean?
Joyce traces back to a root meaning "lord". A female given name from the Celtic languages, associated by folk etymology with joy and rejoice. Medieval (Middle English) given name from Old French Josse, name of a seventh century saint Latinized as Iodocus, from Breton Iodoc, diminutive of iudh (โlordโ), from Proto-Celtic *yowdos.
What is the origin of the name Joyce?
Joyce is listed as a name of Celtic origin.
How popular is the name Joyce?
Since 1880, 509,332 girls and 2,900 boys in the U.S. have been named Joyce (99% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #11 in 1937. Its highest rank for boys was #625 in 1932. In 2025, 233 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Joyce a boy or girl name?
Joyce is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 509,332 girls and 2,900 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880โ2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.