Hoy Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Hoy originates from Old English and is associated with meanings related to small boats and hills. Its historical forms trace back to Old English and have evolved into the modern English usage. The name has no biblical significance and gained popularity in the 19th and 20th centuries. It is perceived as uncommon today, often linked to nature or maritime themes. Notable individuals with this name include Hoyt Axton and Hoyt Wilhelm.
The name Hoy is most popular in West Virginia, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Hoy has been stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Hoy' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1582nd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1980th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2942nd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 5780th out of 10718 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 23106th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Hoy' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Hoy"
Pronunciation
/hɔɪ/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Hoy is believed to derive from the Old English word 'hoy', which refers to a small boat or skiff. It may also be related to the Old Norse word 'hoyr', meaning 'a small hill or mound'.
Meaning
small boat, hill
Language Evolution
Old English: Hoy, Middle English: Hoy, Modern English: Hoy
Historical Usage
The name Hoy has seen sporadic usage throughout history, becoming more recognized in the 19th and 20th centuries as surnames and place names became popular.
Variants & Derivatives
Hoye, Hoys, Hoyt
Modern Popularity & Image
Hoy is relatively uncommon as a first name, but it is still used in some regions. It often invokes a sense of nautical themes or nature.
Famous People
Hoyt Axton, an American singer-songwriter and actor, Hoyt Wilhelm, a Major League Baseball pitcher
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Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Hoy"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Hoy"
"Hoy" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1582nd of 7545 | 355 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1980th of 6773 | 251 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2942nd of 7552 | 149 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 5780th of 10718 | 47 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 23106th of 23106 | 5 |
Regional Popularity of "Hoy" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
53.59% 1268th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
68.25% 1606th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Hoy" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Hoy"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Hoy" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.