Doyce
Primarily a boy's name of Celtic origin with 946 recorded births. Also given to 172 girls.
Meaning & Origin
At 5 letters and one syllable, Doyce hits the middle ground most parents look for: long enough to feel complete, short enough for everyday use. It has been used as a boy's name in the U.S. since 1914, with 946 total recorded births.
Doyce is not in the current top 1,000, which means your child is unlikely to share the name with a classmate — a plus for parents who value distinctiveness.
Doyce is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Doyce is a boy's and girl's baby name of uncertain origin, possibly a variant of Joyce — from the medieval Latin Iudocus (a Breton saint's name) or possibly coined — or an elaboration of Roy or Royce, from the Old French rois, meaning 'king.'
Doyce appears primarily in American records from the early 20th century, particularly in the South, where creative masculine names were sometimes formed by blending familiar sounds into something new. It has a punchy, one-syllable boldness and a distinctly American character.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Doyce's final sounds are open, approachable — ending on a vowel softens the overall impression. In English-language naming, masculine names frequently end on harder consonants or closed syllables, creating a sense of decisiveness and strength. Doyce softens that pattern, giving it a more versatile feel.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Doyce's suffix pattern — names with similar endings often share a style and era, even when they come from different linguistic backgrounds.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Doyce has 56+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1914.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 5 | #9144 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 13 | #4503 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 68 | #2998 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 157 | #2161 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 218 | #1536 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 272 | #1351 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 163 | #2151 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 50 | #2939 | — |
The Story of Doyce
A Silent Generation name
Peaking in 1934, Doyce is an elegant vintage name. Boys named Doyce are most likely born between 1924 and 1944.
How rare is Doyce?
With 946 total births on record, Doyce remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1914, peaked in the 1930s with 272 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Doyce by the numbers
- Would fill 20 school buses
- Meeting one Doyce per day would take 2.6 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(56 years, 1914–1993)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 5 | #9144 |
| 1975 | 7 | #4458 |
| 1971 | 6 | #4548 |
| 1968 | 8 | #3181 |
| 1967 | 8 | #3058 |
| 1965 | 6 | #3639 |
| 1963 | 12 | #2451 |
| 1962 | 5 | #4216 |
| 1961 | 12 | #2447 |
| 1960 | 17 | #1993 |
| 1959 | 9 | #2882 |
| 1958 | 17 | #1972 |
| 1957 | 10 | #2693 |
| 1956 | 7 | #3290 |
| 1955 | 20 | #1745 |
| 1954 | 19 | #1780 |
| 1953 | 13 | #2213 |
| 1952 | 22 | #1631 |
| 1951 | 17 | #1854 |
| 1950 | 23 | #1551 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Doyce as a Girl's Name
Though more common for boys, Doyce has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 172 births since 1914.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Doyce a boy's or girl's name?
When was Doyce most popular?
How popular is the name Doyce?
Can Doyce be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1914–1993