Holding steady.
Popularity of Hoyle since 1907
Babies named Hoyle per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1925, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Hoyle's real moment was 1917.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 163 |
| 1920s | 288 |
| 1930s | 227 |
| 1940s | 178 |
| 1950s | 93 |
| 1960s | 36 |
| 1970s | 13 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Hoyle is an exceedingly rare given name in the United States, derived from an English surname. Its use as a first name dates back to at least 1907, though it has never achieved widespread popularity and has never appeared in the national top 1000 rankings. The name saw its peak usage in 1917, after which it settled into a stable but very low frequency. In its peak year of 1917, the name would have been given to a tiny number of boys, a rarity that persists to the present day (latest year 2025). Hoyle is not strongly associated with any particular state or region. The name's most notable bearer is Edmond Hoyle, whose authority on card games led to the phrase 'according to Hoyle.' As a given name, Hoyle has a traditional, surname-based quality that appeals to those seeking a distinctive name with a touch of historical gravitas.
Hoyle began as an English surname, likely a variant of Hole, which denoted someone who lived near a hollow or depression in the ground. It became a given name in the early 20th century, perhaps influenced by the fame of Edmond Hoyle, the 18th-century authority on card games. Its use as a first name has remained uncommon, peaking modestly in the 1910s.
Sibling names for Hoyle
Names that share Hoyle's style, for a brother or sister.
