Joyce

name

Etymology: Medieval (Middle English) given name from Old French Josse, name of a seventh century saint Latinized as Iodocus, from Breton Iodoc, diminutive of iudh (“lord”), from Proto-Celtic *yowdos.

1. An English and Irish surname originating as a patronymic.

   “The vote was 213-209 along party lines. Republican members of the House Ethics Committee – Michael Guest of Mississippi, Dave Joyce of Ohio, Andrew Garbarino of New York, John Rutherford of Florida and Michelle Fischbach of Minnesota – voted present. GOP Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado also voted present but he is not on the Ethics Committee.”

2. A female given name from the Celtic languages, associated by folk etymology with joy and rejoice.

   “"It's a curious name," remarked Captain Levison. "Joyce - Joyce! I never heard such a name. Is it a Christian name or a surname?" "She was baptised Joyce. It is not so very uncommon. Her name is Joyce Hallijohn. She has been with us several years."”

   “You call me mother, and I remember my mother again, somewhere in greater Boston, dying. I remember we named you Joyce so we could call you Joy.”

3. An unincorporated community in Clallam County, Washington, United States, named after founder Joseph M. Joyce.