Doyle is an Irish surname and given name that has been used for both males and females. It is derived from the Gaelic word "dubh" which means "black." The name was originally associated with people who had dark complexions or hair, or who lived in a dark-colored house or wore black clothing.
The Doyle family is one of the oldest and most prominent families in Irish history. They were known as a powerful clan in County Roscommon during the Middle Ages, and many members of the family held high-ranking positions in the church and government. The most famous member of the Doyle family was John Henry "Jack" Doyle, an Irish-American boxer who won the world heavyweight championship in 1906.
Today, Doyle is still a popular name in Ireland and among the Irish diaspora around the world. It has also been used as a given name for both boys and girls, with celebrities such as the actress Dominique Swain and the musician John Doyle helping to popularize its use as a female name. While it may not be as common as some other Irish names, Doyle remains a distinctive and meaningful choice for parents looking for a unique and historic name for their child.
The given statistics provide an interesting overview of the occurrences of the name Doyle over several years in the United States. Between 1914 and 1962, there were a total of 252 births registered with the name Doyle.
Looking at the annual figures, we can observe fluctuations in the popularity of the name over time. The name's popularity peaked twice during this period: firstly between 1920 and 1921 with 14 births recorded each year, and then again between 1931 and 1932 with 11 births recorded both years.
However, there were also periods where the name was less common. Between 1947 and 1950, for instance, there were only five births recorded in total across those four years. Similarly, between 1955 and 1962, there was an average of six births per year, indicating a decline in popularity compared to the earlier peak years.
Despite these fluctuations, it is clear that the name Doyle has maintained some level of consistency in its usage throughout this period. It is interesting to note that even in years where the name was less popular, there were still births recorded with the name Doyle, demonstrating that it has remained a choice for parents over several decades.