Find out how popular the first name Loy has been for the last 48 years (from 1974 to 2021) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Loy by gender

Based on the last 48 years of data, Loy is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 98% of people named Loy being male.

For the most recent data in 2021, there were 7 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Loy.

The history of the first name Loy

The name Loy has its origins in the Breton language, which is a Celtic language spoken in Brittany, a cultural region in the northwest of France. It is believed to have emerged around the 5th century AD, during the period when Brittany was being settled by Celtic migrants from Britain.

Loy is derived from the Breton word "louar," which means "moon" or "lunar." In Breton mythology, the moon held significant importance, often being associated with fertility, cycles, and feminine energy. As such, the name Loy was likely bestowed upon children as a symbol of these lunar associations.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Loy can be found in the Cartulaire de Redon, a medieval cartulary (collection of charters and records) from the Breton abbey of Redon, which dates back to the 9th century. This document mentions a man named "Loi," which is believed to be an early variant spelling of the name.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Loy. One of the earliest was Loy de Bayonne, a 13th-century Basque navigator and explorer who is credited with being one of the first Europeans to visit the Canary Islands off the coast of Africa.

In the 15th century, Loy de Bochetel was a French diplomat and advisor to King Charles VIII, playing a significant role in the Italian Wars of the late 15th century.

During the Renaissance, Loy Hering (1485-1554) was a prominent German painter and engraver, known for his intricate woodcuts and engravings depicting religious and mythological scenes.

In the realm of literature, Loy Vauthier (1644-1729) was a French playwright and poet, best known for his tragedies and contributions to the development of French classical drama.

More recently, Loy Bowman (1909-1995) was an American ornithologist and artist, renowned for his detailed paintings and illustrations of birds, which contributed significantly to the field of ornithology.

These are just a few examples of the many individuals throughout history who have borne the name Loy, a name with rich cultural and linguistic roots that continue to endure to this day.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Loy was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Loy, please contact us.

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