Joyce

♂ Boy

Pronounced JOYS /ˈdʒɔɪs/High

Meaning: From the Norman Josce, from the Breton saint's name Iodoc/Judoc, 'a lord; a chief' (from iud, 'lord'); originally a boys' name (now usually girls'); here for boys; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: A lord: Joyce comes from the Breton Iodoc. Crisp, classic, and warm. Originally a boys' name (here for boys; said 'JOYS').

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Origin LowBreton

MeaningFrom the Norman Josce, from the Breton saint's name Iodoc/Judoc, 'a lord; a chief' (from iud, 'lord'); originally a boys' name (now usually girls'); here for boys; routes layered

U.S. rank (2025)#10164 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births7 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1932

Total births (all-time)≈ 2,900

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

Joyce comes from the Norman Josce, from the Breton saint's name Iodoc/Judoc, 'a lord; a chief' (from iud, 'lord'). It was originally a boys' name (now usually girls'); here it is used for a boy (slug distinguished; routes layered, which we note). A crisp, classic name (made famous by writer James Joyce; said 'JOYS').

In the U.S. it is now usually a girls' name. Rare for boys, a-lord at the root, and classic.

Did you know? Joyce comes from the Norman Josce, from the Breton saint Iodoc/Judoc, 'a lord; a chief' (from iud, 'lord') — it was originally a boys' name (now usually girls') — here for a boy (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'JOYS').

Overall data confidence 40%

References — Joyce — originally boys'; routes layered

Variations

JosseJossJocelyn

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Joyce…

Joss— a kin Joss- form

Jocelyn— a fellow Josce-rooted name

Royce— a sound-neighbor -oyce boys' name

Boyce— another -oyce boys' name

Explore names like Joyce

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Joyce mean?

Joyce comes from the Breton saint Iodoc, 'a lord; a chief'; originally a boys' name (now usually girls'); the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Joyce?

It's said JOYS /ˈdʒɔɪs/ — one syllable.

Is Joyce a boy or girl name?

Joyce was originally a boys' name and is now usually a girls' name; this page covers its use as a boy's name.

How popular is Joyce?

Joyce is very rare as a boy's name in the U.S. today.