Alyce is a unique and distinctive feminine given name that originates from English. It is a variant spelling of the more common Alice, which itself has origins dating back to the Middle Ages. The name Alyce comes from the Old French Aalis, which was a diminutive form of Adelais or Adalheidis.
The meaning behind the name Alyce is associated with nobility and high status. It translates to "noble" or "of noble rank," reflecting its origins as a name reserved for members of royal or aristocratic families. The name gained popularity in England during the Middle Ages, likely due to the influence of French culture at the time.
Over the centuries, Alyce has evolved from being primarily used among the nobility to becoming more widely adopted by commoners. Today, it is still considered a classic and elegant name choice for girls. Despite its traditional roots, however, Alyce remains unique and distinctive enough to stand out from other popular names like Alice or Allison.
In literature, one notable reference to the name Alyce can be found in Lewis Carroll's "Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There." In this sequel to "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," the main character's name is spelled as Alyce. This association has likely contributed to the name's enduring appeal among fans of classic children's literature.
In conclusion, the name Alyce offers an attractive blend of historical significance, elegance, and uniqueness. Its origins date back centuries, but its meaning remains relevant today – making it a timeless choice for parents seeking a distinctive yet meaningful name for their daughters.
The given statistics illustrate the annual occurrences of the name Alyce among births in the United States from 1880 to 2023. Over this period spanning nearly 143 years, there have been a total of 17,453 births registered with the name Alyce.
Throughout the late 19th century and early 20th century, the popularity of the name Alyce was relatively low, with fewer than 50 occurrences per year until around the early 1910s. However, from approximately 1914 onwards, there was a significant increase in the frequency of this name.
The peak years for Alyce as a baby girl's name were between the mid-1920s and late 1930s, with over 250 births annually during these decades. This trend continued until around the early 1940s, after which there was another notable decline in popularity.
After World War II, Alyce as a baby girl's name experienced several fluctuations in popularity but generally maintained a steady level of between 50 to 100 births per year throughout the mid-20th century.
In recent years, however, there has been a resurgence in popularity for the name Alyce. Between 2008 and 2023, the number of annual births with this name ranged from approximately 34 to 79, indicating that parents are once again embracing this classic moniker.
Overall, these statistics highlight the cyclical nature of baby naming trends in the United States and demonstrate that Alyce has remained a viable choice for parents throughout the years. Despite periods of varying popularity, Alyce continues to be selected as a name for newborn girls across the country.