Brice

Meaning & origin

Brice has been in continuous use in the United States since at least 1882, the first year of Social Security data. It reached its peak popularity in 1998, ranking highest among U.S. births. Since then, its usage has been steadily falling, reflecting a broader shift away from traditional short forms. In its peak year, Brice was more common in Texas, which remains its top state. The name carries a 1-in-40,668 frequency in 2025, placing it in a modest tier of usage. Its spelling variants, including Bryce and Bryson, have diverged in popularity, with Bryce surpassing Brice in recent decades. Brice retains a crisp, one-syllable appeal that fits a modern preference for concise names.

Brice is an English and French surname turned given name, derived from the Old French 'Brice', itself from the Latin 'Brictius', a name of uncertain origin. It may be related to the Old English 'brice' meaning 'speckled' or the Celtic 'bric' meaning 'freckled'. Alternatively, it could be a patronymic from the medieval given name 'Ric', meaning 'son of Ric'. The name was popularized by the 5th-century Saint Brictius of Tours, a successor of Saint Martin.