Cherice

Meaning & origin

Cherice is a mid-20th century coinage that blends the French endearment chérie ('darling') with the fashionable -ice suffix, echoing names like Clarice and Janice. It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1955, reflecting the post-war trend of creating melodic, feminine names with a touch of European flair. Its peak year was 1975, when it saw its highest usage, but it never entered the top 1,000 names. Since the 1970s, Cherice has followed a stable but low-frequency trajectory, with fewer than five births per year in recent decades. The name is typically spelled with a 'Ch' and pronounced 'shuh-REES', though variants like Cherise and Sherice also appear. Because of its rare use, Cherice has no strong regional concentration and remains a distinctive choice for those seeking a name with a sweet, affectionate meaning.

Cherice is a modern elaboration of the French word chérie, meaning 'darling' or 'beloved', combined with the popular -ice suffix seen in names like Clarice and Janice. It first appeared in the United States during the mid-20th century, with its peak usage in the 1970s. While it draws on French vocabulary, it is an English coinage rather than a traditional French name.