Loy

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Loy

Pronounced LOY /ˈlɔɪ/Medium

Meaning: Loy is a brief one-syllable name whose origin is uncertain. It most likely comes from the surname Loy — itself sometimes traced to Eligius, the medieval Saint Loy, patron of metalworkers — or served as a clipped form of another name. Its meaning is best left honestly open.Low

In 30 seconds: Loy is a short, one-beat boy's name (said 'LOY') of uncertain origin, probably from the surname Loy.

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Origin LowEnglish

MeaningLoy is a brief one-syllable name whose origin is uncertain. It most likely comes from the surname Loy — itself sometimes traced to Eligius, the medieval Saint Loy, patron of metalworkers — or served as a clipped form of another name. Its meaning is best left honestly open.

U.S. rank (2021)#10362 ↘ Falling

2021 U.S. births7 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1922

Total births (all-time)≈ 4,111

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

Loy appears as a given name in early-twentieth-century America, especially in Southern records, but its source is not firmly documented. The likeliest thread runs to the surname Loy, sometimes connected to Saint Eligius (Loy), the patron of smiths; it may also have begun as a short form of a longer name. Rather than invent a meaning, it is best flagged as uncertain.

The name crested around 1922 and faded across the century, giving it a great-grandfather vintage. It has not revived, and its opaque origin makes it a rarity of interest mainly to family historians; parents today seldom encounter it.

Did you know? Loy peaked around 1922, a terse single-syllable name of the early-twentieth-century South whose roots have grown hazy.

Overall data confidence 45%

References — Loy — Uncertain; likely surname Loy (poss. Saint Eligius/Loy); 1922 peak

Variations

LoydLoye

Nicknames

Loy

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By themeuncertain vintage short saint

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Loy mean?

Loy is a short name of uncertain origin, probably from the surname Loy.

How do you pronounce Loy?

It's said LOY /ˈlɔɪ/ — one syllable.

Is Loy a boy or girl name?

Loy is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Loy?

Loy was an early-twentieth-century Southern name that has been rare since mid-century.