Joyce
Joyce is derived from the medieval masculine name Josse, which came from the Breton name Iodoc meaning 'lord'. It transitioned to a feminine name in the early 20th century and carries connotations of joy and cheerfulness.
Current Popularity
#1074 for girls
in the United States (2025)
Popularity over time
Good to Know
- •Easy to spell and pronounce across most languages
- •Has a built-in positive meaning associated with joy
- •Peak popularity was in the 1930s-1940s, making it a vintage choice today
- •Strong literary associations with James Joyce (though male)
- •Multiple spelling variations exist
Similar Names
Famous People
Joyce Carol Oates
Acclaimed novelist and essayist
Joyce DeWitt
Actress, known for 'Three's Company'
Joyce Meyer
Christian author and speaker
Joyce Randolph
Actress, known for 'The Honeymooners'
Statistics
509,332
Total births since 1880
1942
Peak year
Discovery
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