Candice
Primarily a girl's name of Meroitic origin with 67,959 recorded births. Also given to 155 boys.
Meaning & Origin
A female given name from Ancient Greek, variant of Candace.
Candice is a girl's and boy's baby name of uncertain origin, a variant of Candace — the ancient title used by queens of the Kushite kingdom of Meroe in what is now Sudan. The name appears in the New Testament (Acts 8:27) as the queen whose treasurer was baptized by Philip. The title may derive from a Meroitic word meaning 'queen mother' or 'queen regent.'
Candice Bergen, the Emmy-winning actress and star of Murphy Brown, made the name feel sharp and witty. Candice Swanepoel, the supermodel, gave it a more glamorous dimension. It peaked in U.S. popularity in the 1970s and 1980s and retains a polished, confident quality.
EtymologyShow more
Candice first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1925. Its appearance in the 1920s coincides with waves of immigration, cultural exchange, and the early decades of American popular culture — all of which introduced and popularized new names.
Its Meroitic classification suggests a path from meroitic linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Candice was #1078 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #4781, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 176 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 1,130 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 2,482 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 9,868 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 29,848 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 12,485 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 3,505 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 6,054 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 2,405 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 6 | — |
The Story of Candice
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1982, Candice is a Millennial-era classic. Girls named Candice are most likely born between 1972 and 1992.
How rare is Candice?
Only about 1 in every 128,571 babies born in 2024 was named Candice — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1925, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1980s with 29,848 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Candice by the numbers
- More Candices than the population of a small U.S. town
- Would fill 1,416 school buses
- Meeting one Candice per day would take 186.2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(83 years, 1925–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 28 | #4781 |
| 2023 | 22 | #5586 |
| 2022 | 25 | #5191 |
| 2021 | 48 | #3302 |
| 2020 | 53 | #3026 |
| 2019 | 69 | #2540 |
| 2018 | 72 | #2459 |
| 2017 | 97 | #2022 |
| 2016 | 135 | #1622 |
| 2015 | 112 | #1841 |
| 2014 | 131 | #1635 |
| 2013 | 114 | #1794 |
| 2012 | 120 | #1722 |
| 2011 | 141 | #1556 |
| 2010 | 139 | #1574 |
| 2009 | 182 | #1324 |
| 2008 | 247 | #1058 |
| 2007 | 247 | #1061 |
| 2006 | 250 | #1024 |
| 2005 | 220 | #1079 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Candice as a Boy's Name
While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Candice has also been given to 155 boys in the U.S. since 1971.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Candice a boy's or girl's name?
When was Candice most popular?
How popular is the name Candice?
Can Candice be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1925–2024