Boyce is a name of English origin, derived from the Old French word "bois," which means "of the woods" or "woodsman." It was originally used as a surname for people who lived near wooded areas or worked in forestry.
The name Boyce gained popularity during the Middle Ages in England, when it was commonly given to boys born into families with ties to the land or the forest. Over time, it became more widely used and eventually made its way across the Atlantic to North America, where it continues to be a popular choice for parents today.
While Boyce is most often found as a masculine name, there have been instances of it being used for girls in some cultures. However, it remains overwhelmingly associated with boys.
In terms of popularity, Boyce has never reached the heights of many other names but has maintained a steady presence throughout history. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, the name Boyce was given to fewer than 50 boys each year between 2000 and 2019.
Despite its relatively low frequency, Boyce has been borne by several notable individuals throughout history, including American actors Robert Boyce and Leslie Nielsen (who was born Leslie William Boyce), as well as British politician Richard Boyce, who served in the House of Commons from 1847 to 1852.
Overall, Boyce is a unique and historic name with a meaningful origin that has stood the test of time. It may not be as widely used as some other names, but it remains an appealing choice for parents seeking something distinctive yet grounded in tradition.
The given statistics show the annual births of babies named Boyce in the United States from 1885 to 2023. Over this period, the name's popularity has fluctuated significantly.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Boyce was a relatively uncommon name, with fewer than 10 births per year between 1885 and 1912. However, starting in 1913, there was a notable increase in the number of boys named Boyce, with 47 births that year. This trend continued through the 1920s, reaching its peak in 1922 with 103 births.
The popularity of the name Boyce remained high throughout the 1930s and 1940s, with an average of around 90 to 100 births per year. However, after World War II, there was a steady decline in the number of babies named Boyce. By the late 1950s and early 1960s, the number of annual Boyce births had fallen below 50.
This downward trend continued through the 1970s, with fewer than 30 boys named Boyce born each year on average. The name's popularity hit an all-time low in the mid-1980s, with fewer than 10 births per year between 1984 and 1986.
However, since the late 1980s, there has been a slight resurgence in the popularity of the name Boyce. While it remains relatively uncommon compared to its peak years, the number of annual Boyce births has hovered around 10 to 20 over the past few decades. In recent years, the name's popularity has even shown signs of increasing, with 18 births recorded in both 2017 and 2018.
In total, between 1885 and 2023, there have been 5499 babies named Boyce born in the United States. This data provides an interesting snapshot of the ebb and flow of popularity for this particular name over more than a century.