Doyle

♂ Boy

Pronounced DOYL /ˈdɔɪl/High

Meaning: From the Irish surname O Dubhghaill, 'dark stranger; dark foreigner' (dubh, 'dark/black', + gall, 'a stranger/foreigner', originally of Norse settlers)Low

In 30 seconds: Dark stranger; dark foreigner: Doyle is an Irish surname. Crisp, classic, and warm.

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Origin LowIrish

MeaningFrom the Irish surname O Dubhghaill, 'dark stranger; dark foreigner' (dubh, 'dark/black', + gall, 'a stranger/foreigner', originally of Norse settlers)

U.S. rank (2024)#7345 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births11 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1931

Total births (all-time)≈ 30,390

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Doyle comes from the Irish surname O Dubhghaill, 'dark stranger; dark foreigner' (dubh, 'dark/black', + gall, 'a stranger/foreigner', originally of Norse settlers). A crisp, classic name (said 'DOYL').

In the U.S. it appears as a surname-style name. Rare, dark-stranger at the root, and classic.

Did you know? Doyle comes from the Irish surname O Dubhghaill, 'dark stranger; dark foreigner' (dubh, 'dark', + gall, 'a stranger', originally of Norse settlers) — a crisp, classic name (said 'DOYL').

Overall data confidence 46%

References — Doyle — Irish surname

Variations

DoyelDoil

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Doyle…

Royce— a companion short surname boys' name

Boyd— another short Irish surname boys' name

Lavelle— shares the -le ending

Quade— lands in the same popularity range

Nyle— another Irish name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Doyle mean?

Doyle is an Irish surname, 'dark stranger; dark foreigner' (originally of Norse settlers).

How do you pronounce Doyle?

It's said DOYL /ˈdɔɪl/ — one syllable.

Is Doyle a boy or girl name?

Doyle is a boy's name.

How popular is Doyle?

Doyle is a rare name in the U.S.