MallowbyNames

Doyl

DOYL · of uncertain origin; possibly a variant of Doyle

Peak popularity
1928
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Doyl since 1913

Babies named Doyl per year in U.S. Social Security records.

4913192019602000Most births 1928Boys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeBoys
1910s29
1920s80
1930s62
1940s34
1950s0
1960s5
1970s0
1980s0
1990s0
2000s0
2010s0
2020s0

Meaning & origin

Doyl is a rare given name that emerged in U.S. birth records around 1913 and reached its peak popularity in 1928. It has never appeared in the top 1000 names, and its usage has remained extremely low, with a stable trajectory into 2025. The name is widely understood as a spelling variant of the Irish surname Doyle, which itself derives from the Gaelic Ó Dubhghaill, meaning 'descendant of the dark stranger.' While never widespread, Doyl saw some scattered use in the early-to-mid 20th century, particularly in the 1920s. Today it remains a highly uncommon choice, with no recorded births in many years and no top states showing notable concentration. Parents considering Doyl may appreciate its connection to the more familiar Doyle, offering a slightly distinctive spelling with a similar sound and heritage.

Doyl is likely a spelling variant of Doyle, which is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Ó Dubhghaill, meaning 'descendant of Dubhghall', composed of dubh 'black' and gall 'stranger'. The surname Doyle was brought to England and other English-speaking countries, and the variant Doyl appears in U.S. records starting in the early 20th century.

Nicknames & variants

Variants: Doyle

Sibling names for Doyl

Names that share Doyl's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Mae, Nell, Ruth, Grace, Iris

Brothers: Earl, Roy, Cloyd, Lloyd, Glenn

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

D is for Doyl, our favorite little boy.

D is for Doyl…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Doyl's letter becomes Doyl's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Doyl's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Doyl mean?
Doyl is of uncertain meaning; it is likely a variant of the Irish surname Doyle, which means 'dark stranger' in Gaelic.
How popular is the name Doyl?
Doyl is extremely rare. It has not ranked in the top 1000 U.S. birth names in recent decades. Its highest recorded usage was in the 1920s, with a peak year in 1928.
Is Doyl a boy's name?
Yes, Doyl is traditionally used as a masculine name, though it is extremely uncommon.