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Joyce Girl

Popularity: #711 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationJOYSS / /dʒɔɪs/

Latin; Irish

Meaning

Latin: merry; Irish: lord

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Joyce has its roots in the Old French name 'Josse,' which is derived from the Latin 'Iodocus.' The Latin term itself is believed to originate from the Breton name 'Iodoc,' meaning 'lord' or 'ruler.' This name was introduced into England following the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, where it evolved into various forms, including Joyce. The name was initially used as a surname before becoming popular as a given name, particularly in the medieval period.

Historically, the name Joyce has been associated with several notable figures. One of the earliest recorded uses of the name in England can be traced back to the 13th century, where it appeared as a surname in various legal documents. The name gained further prominence through the literary contributions of James Joyce, an influential Irish writer of the early 20th century, whose works such as 'Ulysses' and 'A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man' have had a lasting impact on modern literature. Additionally, the name has been borne by various saints, including Saint Joyce, a lesser-known figure in Christian hagiography.

Culturally, the name Joyce has been imbued with a sense of nobility and strength, reflecting its etymological roots. It has been used in various literary and artistic contexts, symbolizing creativity and intellectual pursuit. The name has also inspired numerous diminutive forms, such as Joy, which carries connotations of happiness and delight. Overall, Joyce has maintained a significant presence in both historical and cultural narratives, reflecting its rich linguistic heritage and the enduring qualities associated with its meaning.

Trend Summary

Joyce has seen a decline in popularity in the United States since the mid-20th century.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Joice
  • Joy

International Variants

  • Jocelyn (French)
  • Joya (Spanish)

Famous people named Joyce

Joyce Meyer is a author and speaker best known for Battlefield of the Mind, The Confident Woman, and her television program Enjoying Everyday Life.

Joyce Carol Oates is a novelist and playwright best known for Them, We Were the Mulvaneys, and Blonde.

Joyce Kilmer is a poet best known for his poem Trees and his work as a war correspondent during World War I.

Joyce Chen is a chef and restaurateur best known for popularizing Chinese cuisine in America and her television cooking show.

Joyce Brothers is a psychologist and television personality best known for her advice column and appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show.

Fictional characters named Joyce

Joyce Byers is a fictional character from the TV series Stranger Things. She is a determined mother searching for her missing son and uncovering supernatural mysteries in the town of Hawkins.

Joyce Summers is a fictional character from the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She is the supportive mother of the main character, Buffy, and plays a crucial role in her daughter's battle against evil.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Joyce was first seen in the United States in 1882. Joyce has ranked as high as #31 nationally, which occurred in 1942, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, and California. In the past 5 years the name Joyce has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Joyce (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 35
18%
NY 25
13%
TX 24
13%
FL 17
9%
IN 10
5%
PA 9
5%
WA 8
4%
KY 7
4%
GA 6
3%
AZ 6
3%
MA 6
3%
UT 6
3%
NC 6
3%
OH 5
3%
IL 5
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
18827
18836
18857
18877
188811
188912
189017
189117
189214
189320
189422
189529
189637
189727
189840
189945
190059
190143
190269
190373
190456
190579
190677
190780
1908105
190996
1910135
1911136
1912222
1913273
1914456
1915640
1916746
19171,017
19181,261
19191,255
19201,523
19211,840
19222,016
19232,670
19243,533
19254,364
19265,704
19276,684
19287,244
19298,596
19309,658
193110,580
193211,362
193311,191
193411,459
193511,368
193611,988
193711,809
193812,697
193913,393
194014,802
194115,683
194216,728
194316,486
194414,768
194513,950
194615,209
194715,914
194814,381
194913,572
195013,416
195113,472
195213,125
195312,797
195412,088
195511,285
195611,091
195710,157
19589,032
19598,520
19607,757
19616,996
19626,096
19635,221
19644,861
19654,128
19663,399
19672,945
19682,496
19692,227
19702,030
19711,693
19721,349
19731,226
19741,263
19751,126
1976947
1977847
1978776
1979738
1980731
1981687
1982663
1983635
1984593
1985537
1986537
1987561
1988475
1989489
1990512
1991446
1992441
1993423
1994374
1995371
1996343
1997331
1998332
1999337
2000362
2001370
2002358
2003345
2004345
2005324
2006325
2007342
2008318
2009287
2010303
2011264
2012298
2013328
2014353
2015332
2016385
2017325
2018284
2019287
2020260
2021273
2022268
2023236
2024240