"speckled, freckled"
Bryce
Pronunciation: [ br-EYES ]
A Celtic speckled-stone name as dramatic as Bryce Canyon
Meaning & Origin
"of the clan of Bricius"
The Story of Bryce
Bryce is a Scottish and Irish surname of Celtic origin, believed to derive from the Brythonic Celtic word 'brig' meaning 'speckled' or 'freckled.' It was borne by Saint Brice (St. Britius), a 5th-century Bishop of Tours who succeeded Saint Martin. The surname developed in Scotland, and Bryce Canyon in Utah was named after Ebenezer Bryce, a Mormon settler. As a girls' name, it follows the American trend of gender-neutral surname-style names.
Bryce has been used for both boys and girls in America since the 1990s, gaining momentum as gender-neutral names became mainstream. For girls, it rose significantly in the 2000s-2010s as parents sought athletic, strong-sounding names that didn't feel frilly. Bryce Dallas Howard, Ron Howard's daughter, has been an influential bearer.
Bryce Canyon, one of America's most spectacular national parks with its flame-colored hoodoo rock formations, has given this name a powerful natural imagery. Bryce Dallas Howard's Hollywood career has made the name feel both strong and accomplished for girls.
Fun Facts
- Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah was named after Mormon settler Ebenezer Bryce, who said of it: 'It's a hell of a place to lose a cow'
- Saint Brice was accused of misconduct by Tours parishioners but was later exonerated and restored as bishop
Bryce in Other Languages
Famous People Named Bryce
Bryce Harper
Athlete
1992
American MLB baseball superstar and MVP who signed the largest contract in baseball history at the time
Bryce Dallas Howard
Actor
1981
American actress and director known for Jurassic World, The Help, and Emmy-winning work on The Mandalorian
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #2,540
- Total SSA Count
- 70
- Cultural Origins
- American English Scottish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Bryce is also used as a boy name, ranked #297.
View Bryce as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Bryce and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Bryce sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Frequently Asked Questions About Bryce
What does the name Bryce mean?
What is the origin of the name Bryce?
Is Bryce a boy or girl name?
How do you pronounce Bryce?
How popular is the name Bryce?
What are common nicknames for Bryce?
What are good middle names for Bryce?
What are good sibling names for Bryce?
How many syllables does Bryce have?
Is Bryce a common or rare name?
About the Name Bryce
Bryce is a girl name with American, English, and Scottish origins . The name means "speckled, freckled" in Celtic Brythonic .
Is Bryce a boy or girl name? Bryce is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,540 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #297. Bryce is more commonly used as a boy name.
Bryce is currently ranked #2,540 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Bryce has 1 syllable and is pronounced br-EYES, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Bryce include Bry and Bryie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.