Doy
Primarily a boy's name of Old English origin with 731 recorded births. Also given to 34 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Doy is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old English origin, likely transferred from a surname. Its use as a given name was most common in the American South during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, fitting into a tradition of clipped, one-syllable names like Roy, Troy, and Coy that were widely used in rural communities.
Spare and direct, Doy has the unfussy practicality that defined Southern American naming of that era. While rare today, it carries the understated character of names that let personality speak louder than syllables.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Doy belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their sharp, distinct ending — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. At one syllable, it has a punchy, memorable cadence that makes an immediate impression.
Within the Old English naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Old English names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Doy’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Doy has 60+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1914.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 5 | #7268 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 26 | #4702 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 77 | #3316 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 101 | #2514 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 122 | #2238 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 162 | #1839 | — |
| 1920s | 173 | #1952 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 65 | #2530 | — |
The Story of Doy
A Silent Generation name
Peaking in 1933, Doy is an elegant vintage name. Boys named Doy are most likely born between 1923 and 1943.
How rare is Doy?
With 731 total births on record, Doy remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1914, peaked in the 1920s with 173 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Doy by the numbers
- Would fill 15 school buses
- Meeting one Doy per day would take 2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(60 years, 1914–1987)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 5 | #7268 |
| 1979 | 6 | #5549 |
| 1974 | 5 | #5444 |
| 1972 | 8 | #3721 |
| 1971 | 7 | #4092 |
| 1969 | 5 | #4573 |
| 1968 | 9 | #2962 |
| 1967 | 7 | #3338 |
| 1966 | 6 | #3632 |
| 1965 | 7 | #3330 |
| 1964 | 9 | #2910 |
| 1963 | 11 | #2573 |
| 1962 | 8 | #3119 |
| 1961 | 9 | #2954 |
| 1960 | 6 | #3769 |
| 1959 | 11 | #2571 |
| 1958 | 8 | #3097 |
| 1957 | 10 | #2692 |
| 1956 | 8 | #3030 |
| 1955 | 10 | #2631 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Doy as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Doy has also been given to 34 girls in the U.S. since 1915.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Doy a boy's or girl's name?
When was Doy most popular?
How popular is the name Doy?
Can Doy be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1914–1987