Joyce is an Irish and French given name and surname. It is derived from the Old French masculine name Josse, which derived from the Latin name Iudocus, the Latinized form of the Breton name Judoc meaning "lord". The name became rare after the 14th century, but was later revived as a female given name, which derived from the Middle English joise meaning "rejoice".[1] [better source needed]
The name originated with Saint Joyce (Judoc) (600–668), a Breton prince and hermit and the son of Judicael, king of Brittany.[2]