Joyce Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated June 7, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Joyce Name Meaning

Fact: The name Joyce also transformed into a surname in various forms across England.

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A Deep Dive

Joyce Overview

Meaning

Lord, marry, joy

Gender

Girl, Gender-neutral

Origin

Old English, Latin, Old French

Etymology

Derived from the Latin “Iudocus,” which is from the Breton “Judoc” meaning “lord.”

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/dʒɔɪs/

Popularity

Once highly popular, especially from 1930-1947. Its popularity has declined since the mid-20th century​

Syllable

1 syllable

Length

5 letters

Numerology

22 (Influential, Visionary, Powerful)

Name Styles

Traditional, Vintage, Classic

Associated Traits

Cheerful, friendly, reliable, creative
A Deep Dive

Joyce Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Joyceline, Joycelyn, Joceline

Common Nicknames

Joy, Joycie, JJ, Jojo, Joey, Joyful

Diminutives

Joy, Jo

Famous People

  • Joyce Carol Oates
    (American Novelist)
  • Joyce Kilmer
    (American Poet)
  • Joyce Brothers
    (American Psychologist and TV Personality)
  • Joyce Banda
    (Malawian Politician)
  • Joyce Meyer
    (American Author and Speaker)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Joyce Byers
    ("Stranger Things," TV show)
  • Joyce Summers
    ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer," TV show)
  • Joyce
    ("Joyce and the Wheeled Warriors," animated series)

Places

  • Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest
    (North Carolina, USA)
  • Joyce Kilmer Park
    (New York, USA)
  • Joyce Kilmer Ave
    (New Jersey, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Joyce?

The name Joyce originally means “lord,” derived from the Breton name Judoc which signifies “lord” or “little lord.” Over time, the name has also come to be associated with marry, joy and happiness.

What Is the Origin of The Name Joyce?

The name Joyce has its roots in Old English, Latin, and Old French. Originally derived from the Old French name “Josse,” which in turn came from the Latin “Jodocus,” it means “lord.” The name further evolved in Old English, taking on the joyful connotations it is known for today.

Joyce Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Joyce in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#9542021#9892022#10582023
Top 3 Rankings#111937#111938#121932

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Joyce

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
20231058
(-69 from 2022)
236
(-31 from 2022)
0.01349
2022989
(-35 from 2021)
267
(-6 from 2021)
0.01489
2021954
(+25 from 2020)
273
(+13 from 2020)
0.01524
2020979
(-57 from 2019)
260
(-27 from 2019)
0.01471
2019922
(+17 from 2018)
287
(+3 from 2018)
0.01564
2018939
(-103 from 2017)
284
(-41 from 2017)
0.01527
2017836
(-98 from 2016)
325
(-60 from 2016)
0.01720
2016738
(+106 from 2015)
385
(+53 from 2015)
0.01989
2015844
(-50 from 2014)
332
(-21 from 2014)
0.01702
2014794
(+26 from 2013)
353
(+25 from 2013)
0.01804
2013820
(+70 from 2012)
328
(+31 from 2012)
0.01702
2012890
(+79 from 2011)
297
(+33 from 2011)
0.01531
2011969
(-92 from 2010)
264
(-39 from 2010)
0.01362
2010877
(+53 from 2009)
303
(+16 from 2009)
0.01545
2009930
(-55 from 2008)
287
(-31 from 2008)
0.01417
2008875
(-37 from 2007)
318
(-24 from 2007)
0.01527
2007838
(-8 from 2006)
342
(+17 from 2006)
0.01616
2006830
(-31 from 2005)
325
(+1 from 2005)
0.01555
2005799
(-41 from 2004)
324
(-21 from 2004)
0.01596
2004758
(-21 from 2003)
345
No change from 2003
0.01710
2003737
(-37 from 2002)
345
(-13 from 2002)
0.01719
2002700
(-25 from 2001)
358
(-12 from 2001)
0.01813
2001675
(-8 from 2000)
370
(+8 from 2000)
0.01868
2000667
(+8 from 1999)
362
(+25 from 1999)
0.01814
1999675
(+10 from 1998)
337
(+5 from 1998)
0.01731
1998685
(-21 from 1997)
332
(+1 from 1997)
0.01713
1997664
(-14 from 1996)
331
(-12 from 1996)
0.01734
1996650
(-45 from 1995)
343
(-28 from 1995)
0.01789
1995605
(-4 from 1994)
371
(-3 from 1994)
0.01931
1994601
(-38 from 1993)
374
(-49 from 1993)
0.01919
1993563
(-29 from 1992)
423
(-18 from 1992)
0.02146
1992534
(-13 from 1991)
441
(-5 from 1991)
0.02200
1991521
(-42 from 1990)
446
(-66 from 1990)
0.02193
1990479
(+2 from 1989)
512
(+22 from 1989)
0.02492
1989481
(-2 from 1988)
490
(+15 from 1988)
0.02460
1988479
(-74 from 1987)
475
(-86 from 1987)
0.02470
1987405
(+5 from 1986)
561
(+24 from 1986)
0.02993
1986410
(+6 from 1985)
537
No change from 1985
0.02910
1985416
(-34 from 1984)
537
(-56 from 1984)
0.02908
1984382
(-24 from 1983)
593
(-42 from 1983)
0.03288
1983358
(-4 from 1982)
635
(-28 from 1982)
0.03548
1982354
(-14 from 1981)
663
(-24 from 1981)
0.03654
1981340
(-10 from 1980)
687
(-44 from 1980)
0.03841
1980330
(-10 from 1979)
731
(-7 from 1979)
0.04105
1979320
(-22 from 1978)
738
(-38 from 1978)
0.04283
1978298
(-16 from 1977)
776
(-71 from 1977)
0.04721
1977282
(-34 from 1976)
847
(-100 from 1976)
0.05149
1976248
(-29 from 1975)
947
(-179 from 1975)
0.06025
1975219
(-18 from 1974)
1126
(-137 from 1974)
0.07214
1974201
(+8 from 1973)
1263
(+37 from 1973)
0.08064
1973209
(-3 from 1972)
1226
(-123 from 1972)
0.07889
1972206
(-24 from 1971)
1349
(-344 from 1971)
0.08366
1971182
(-18 from 1970)
1693
(-337 from 1970)
0.09660
1970164
(-16 from 1969)
2030
(-198 from 1969)
0.11082
1969148
(-20 from 1968)
2228
(-268 from 1968)
0.12639
1968128
(-12 from 1967)
2496
(-447 from 1967)
0.14599
1967116
(-15 from 1966)
2943
(-455 from 1966)
0.17142
1966101
(-11 from 1965)
3398
(-730 from 1965)
0.19353
196590
(-3 from 1964)
4128
(-733 from 1964)
0.22589
196487
(-3 from 1963)
4861
(-362 from 1963)
0.24834
196384
(-10 from 1962)
5223
(-872 from 1962)
0.26272
196274
(-12 from 1961)
6095
(-901 from 1961)
0.30071
196162
(-4 from 1960)
6996
(-760 from 1960)
0.33681
196058
(-8 from 1959)
7756
(-762 from 1959)
0.37293
195950
(-4 from 1958)
8518
(-512 from 1958)
0.40979
195846
(-6 from 1957)
9030
(-1129 from 1957)
0.43713
195740
(-10 from 1956)
10159
(-932 from 1956)
0.48419
195630
(-1 from 1955)
11091
(-194 from 1955)
0.53852
195529
(-1 from 1954)
11285
(-803 from 1954)
0.56287
195428
(-2 from 1953)
12088
(-708 from 1953)
0.60718
195326
(+1 from 1952)
12796
(-329 from 1952)
0.66317
195227
(+1 from 1951)
13125
(-346 from 1951)
0.69007
195128
(-1 from 1950)
13471
(+54 from 1950)
0.72924
195027
(-1 from 1949)
13417
(-155 from 1949)
0.76297
194926
(-5 from 1948)
13572
(-811 from 1948)
0.77311
194821
(-1 from 1947)
14383
(-1529 from 1947)
0.82534
194720
No change from 1946
15912
(+702 from 1946)
0.87531
194620
(-2 from 1945)
15210
(+1259 from 1945)
0.94302
194518
No change from 1944
13951
(-816 from 1944)
1.03639
194418
(-2 from 1943)
14767
(-1720 from 1943)
1.08062
194316
(-3 from 1942)
16487
(-240 from 1942)
1.14860
194213
No change from 1941
16727
(+1044 from 1941)
1.20297
194113
No change from 1940
15683
(+881 from 1940)
1.25868
194013
(-1 from 1939)
14802
(+1409 from 1939)
1.25298
193912
(-1 from 1938)
13393
(+697 from 1938)
1.18097
193811
No change from 1937
12696
(+887 from 1937)
1.11227
193711
(+1 from 1936)
11809
(-180 from 1936)
1.07175
193612
No change from 1935
11989
(+623 from 1935)
1.11261
193512
No change from 1934
11366
(-94 from 1934)
1.04585
193412
No change from 1933
11460
(+269 from 1933)
1.05882
193312
No change from 1932
11191
(-171 from 1932)
1.06985
193212
(+3 from 1931)
11362
(+782 from 1931)
1.02703
193115
(+3 from 1930)
10580
(+922 from 1930)
0.95858
193018
(+5 from 1929)
9658
(+1062 from 1929)
0.82798
192923
(+7 from 1928)
8596
(+1352 from 1928)
0.74260
192830
(+5 from 1927)
7244
(+560 from 1927)
0.60592
192735
(+9 from 1926)
6684
(+980 from 1926)
0.54058
192644
(+15 from 1925)
5704
(+1340 from 1925)
0.46367
192559
(+24 from 1924)
4364
(+831 from 1924)
0.34550
192483
(+21 from 1923)
3533
(+863 from 1923)
0.27268
1923104
(+22 from 1922)
2670
(+654 from 1922)
0.21318
1922126
(+11 from 1921)
2016
(+176 from 1921)
0.16159
1921137
(+16 from 1920)
1840
(+317 from 1920)
0.14378
1920153
(+20 from 1919)
1523
(+268 from 1919)
0.12242
1919173
(-3 from 1918)
1255
(-6 from 1918)
0.10684
1918170
(+15 from 1917)
1261
(+244 from 1917)
0.10488
1917185
(+36 from 1916)
1017
(+271 from 1916)
0.09051
1916221
(+17 from 1915)
746
(+106 from 1915)
0.06871
1915238
(+10 from 1914)
640
(+184 from 1914)
0.06251
1914248
(+39 from 1913)
456
(+183 from 1913)
0.05724
1913287
(+17 from 1912)
273
(+51 from 1912)
0.04168
1912304
(+35 from 1911)
222
(+86 from 1911)
0.03784
1911339
(-1 from 1910)
136
(+1 from 1910)
0.03078
1910338
(+39 from 1909)
135
(+39 from 1909)
0.03218
1909377
(-29 from 1908)
96
(-9 from 1908)
0.02608
1908348
(+47 from 1907)
105
(+25 from 1907)
0.02962
1907395
(-3 from 1906)
80
(+3 from 1906)
0.02371
1906392
(-12 from 1905)
77
(-2 from 1905)
0.02457
1905380
(+50 from 1904)
79
(+23 from 1904)
0.02550
1904430
(-57 from 1903)
56
(-17 from 1903)
0.01915
1903373
(+6 from 1902)
73
(+4 from 1902)
0.02624
1902379
(+73 from 1901)
69
(+26 from 1901)
0.02461
1901452
(-21 from 1900)
43
(-16 from 1900)
0.01691
1900431
(+2 from 1899)
59
(+14 from 1899)
0.01857
1899433
(+53 from 1898)
45
(+5 from 1898)
0.01818
1898486
(+98 from 1897)
40
(+13 from 1897)
0.01459
1897584
(-106 from 1896)
27
(-10 from 1896)
0.01088
1896478
(+69 from 1895)
37
(+8 from 1895)
0.01468
1895547
(+81 from 1894)
29
(+7 from 1894)
0.01174
1894628
(+16 from 1893)
22
(+2 from 1893)
0.00932
1893644
(+152 from 1892)
20
(+6 from 1892)
0.00888
1892796
(-152 from 1891)
14
(-3 from 1891)
0.00622
1891644
(-2 from 1890)
17
No change from 1890
0.00865
1890642
(+115 from 1889)
17
(+5 from 1889)
0.00843
1889757
(+36 from 1888)
12
(+1 from 1888)
0.00634
1888793
(+144 from 1887)
11
(+4 from 1887)
0.00581
1887937
(-95 from 1885)
7
No change from 1885
0.00450
18860
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
1885842
(-25 from 1883)
7
(+1 from 1883)
0.00493
18840
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
1883817
(-77 from 1882)
6
(-1 from 1882)
0.00500
1882740
First SSA data recorded
7
First SSA data recorded
0.00605
18810
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18800
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000

American States Popularity Rankings for Joyce

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#8342021#5102022#6872023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#8482021#10702022#13192023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#12102021#13382022#13442023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#7672021#13552022#11872023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#10112021#9982022#10422023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#7602021#8672022#8312023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#13412018#9102020#11442021

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#11732021#13602022#11832023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#11042019#12452020#8262021

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#10342018#8962019#10092021

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#5302019#4412021#7882022

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#11992018#8982019#10672022

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#7672021#6982022#9112023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#11282018#11042019#8622020

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#7882017#9082018#6942021

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#5751994#6141997#7932022

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#14012021#9472022#16652023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#9092018#5772019#9332022

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#9442018#9072021#9032023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#5461994#6442000#8692007

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#9402021#7932022#9592023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#6322020#5332021#6142023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#5431989#5661993#7392004

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#4241988#3721992#5162016

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#5112019#9912020#10352022

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#5651995#6072004#8262009

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#2851987#4121989#4991995

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#2891988#2601990#2931995

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#4311985#3871986#5492008

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#6162020#8282021#8052023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#5121994#4981998#4752003

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#3041973#2861975#2941981

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#2631983#2381984#2891985

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#6122008#9742018#8162021

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#6492014#5212017#6892018

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#2041973#2381974#2421977

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#8352008#8112014#7322018

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1761966#1761968#2021973

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#2041969#1801971#1512019

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1001970#1721972#2321990

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#1911966#1671967#1551968

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1671965#2251969#2251970

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#11342020#11522021#8002023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#971964#1141966#1071967

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#1391994#2911995#2691996

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1481968#1581969#1561971

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#2711981#3381983#3001987

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1521970#1551971#1501979

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1321963#1131964#951965

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#2071988#4021996#5892011

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1401973#791974#2251984

Popularity Rankings for Joyce in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#382002

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#971999#1892000#1802001

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#2122018#1062019#1722023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#3971986#3691989#4791990

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland flagIceland#3912023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#4101993#3941995#4161997

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#4082016#4642019#4622020

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#5422020#4332021#4272022

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#7162019#8342020#5022022

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#5982020#7992021#6812022

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#6582017

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#9052020#7382021#9132022

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#8042011#9252013#9752016

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Joyce a Name for Boys or Girls?

Joyce started as a masculine name but transitioned primarily to a feminine name from the 16th century among Puritans and became particularly popular for girls in the mid-20th century. Today, it is predominantly considered a female name, though it retains some masculine usage

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Joyce

Joyce in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Joyce Carol Oates (Novelist, born 1938): A renowned writer with many awards, known for her exploration of dark themes in American life.
  • Joyce Kilmer (Poet, 1886-1918): Famous for the poem "Trees," Kilmer's work celebrates nature and spirituality.
  • Joyce Brothers (Psychologist and TV Personality, 1927-2013): A pioneering TV psychologist, Brothers brought psychological advice into American living rooms.
  • Joyce Banda (Politician, born 1950): Former president of Malawi and an advocate for women's rights and education.
  • Joyce Meyer (Author and Speaker, born 1943): A leading Christian speaker and writer known for her motivational works.
  • Joyce DeWitt (Actress, born 1949): Best known as Janet Wood from the sitcom "Three's Company."
  • Joyce Grenfell (Actress and Comedian, 1910-1979): A British entertainer famous for her comedic roles in films and on stage.
  • Joyce Byers ("Stranger Things," 2016 TV Show): Joyce is a mother who tirelessly searches for her missing son in a town experiencing supernatural events.
  • Joyce Summers ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer," 1997 TV Show): She is Buffy's mother, balancing the normal challenges of parenting with the complexities of Buffy's role as a slayer.
  • Joyce ("Joyce and the Wheeled Warriors," 1985 Animated Series): A character in a science fiction setting, Joyce is involved in battles against invasive plant-based creatures.
  • Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest (North Carolina, USA): This forest area preserves old-growth trees and honors Joyce Kilmer, the poet known for his poem "Trees". It features a trail through the forest dedicated to his memory.
  • Joyce Kilmer Park (New York, USA): This park in the Bronx offers a green space for relaxation and is named after Joyce Kilmer.
  • Joyce Kilmer Ave (New Jersey, USA): A street in New Brunswick named in memory of Joyce Kilmer, reflecting his influence in the area.

Similar Names to Joyce

  • Joycelynn
  • Joyse
  • Joyline
  • Joyan
  • Joycie

Sibling Names for Joyce

Parents Who Like the Name Joyce Also Like

Thank you for exploring the delightful meanings behind the name Joyce! If this piqued your interest, don’t forget to like, share, and comment below with your thoughts. Feel free to explore other names on our website to discover their unique stories and origins.
Helen Doanna

Helen Doanna

Editor in Chief, Educational Specialist, and Senior Content Creator

Expertise

Child Development Specialist, Child-care Coordinator, Family Support Specialist, Content Writer, Communications Specialist, Educational Consultant, STEAM Teacher

Education

1. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

  • Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Literature and Journalism
  • Focus: In-depth knowledge of Literature, knowledge and skills to perceive, create literature or work in related fields; Basic