Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Joyce
GirlBreton, English· “lord; from the Breton name Judoc”
- Meaning
- lord; from the Breton name Judoc
- Origin
- Breton, English
- Pronunciation
- JOYS
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #1,074
- US babies 2025
- 226
- Best rank
- #11 (1937)
- Peak year
- 1942
Meaning and origin of Joyce
Joyce is a Breton and English name that is usually said to mean “lord; from the Breton name Judoc”.
Joyce comes from the Breton name Iudoc, borne by Saint Judoc, a seventh-century Breton prince who became a hermit. The name, usually linked to a word for lord, was brought to England by the Normans and was used for men in the Middle Ages before becoming mainly a girls' name, influenced by the word joy. It also became a surname, most famously borne by the Irish writer James Joyce. Joyce was especially popular in the early and mid twentieth century. It feels warm and vintage, and Joy is a natural short form.
Other spellings with the same sound: Joice.
Popularity over time
Joyce first appears in US Social Security records in 1882. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 139 different years, starting in 1882. Its best national rank was #11 in 1937, and the most babies received it in 1942, when 16,728 were named Joyce. In 2025, 226 babies were named Joyce, and it ranked #1,074 nationally. That is 32% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #153 in 1920, #27 in 1950, #330 in 1980, #668 in 2000, #877 in 2010, and #1,074 in 2025. Of the 509,332 US girls named Joyce since records began, 30% were born in the 1940s, its biggest decade. The 1930s come next, with 115,506 babies. Since 2010, 4,667 more have been named Joyce.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Carole and Judith.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Joyce ranked highest in New Jersey, Kentucky, and Iowa.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | #516 | 15 |
| Kentucky | #611 | 7 |
| Iowa | #619 | 5 |
| Minnesota | #783 | 6 |
| California | #865 | 34 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 99% of US babies named Joyce over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Joyce is usually pronounced JOYS, with one syllable. It has five letters, starts with J and ends in “-ce”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Joice.
Middle names for Joyce
A few middle names that flow with Joyce: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Joyce
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Lists that include Joyce
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Joyce mean?
Joyce is a Breton and English name that is usually said to mean “lord; from the Breton name Judoc”.
What is the origin of the name Joyce?
Joyce has Breton and English roots. Joyce comes from the Breton name Iudoc, borne by Saint Judoc, a seventh-century Breton prince who became a hermit.
Is Joyce a popular name?
Not especially. Joyce ranked #1,074 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Joyce a boy or girl name?
Joyce is mainly a girl's name. About 99% of US babies named Joyce over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Joyce?
Joyce is usually pronounced JOYS. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings