Hoyle
Meaning of Hoyle
The masculine given name Hoyle, pronounced HOIL (/hɔɪl/), originates from an English locational surname derived from the Old English holh, meaning hollow or sunken ground, which in medieval England identified individuals dwelling near such natural depressions; transplanted to North America along Anglo-American settlement routes, it eventually assumed limited use as a forename. Although historically encountered primarily as a surname, its appearance in North Carolina birth records between 1914 and 1954—annual occurrences ranging from six to nineteen and state rankings fluctuating predominantly between 92nd and 172nd—attests to a modest yet persistent adoption, suggesting a preference among certain families for its understated distinctiveness. The name’s association with Edmond Hoyle (1672–1769), the preeminent authority on card-game rules, endows it with a linguistic legacy embodied in the phrase “according to Hoyle,” thereby imbuing the name with connotations of precision and authority. Viewed through an academic lens, Hoyle thus conveys an Anglo-American heritage and a cerebral gravitas, positioning it as a choice for those who seek a surname-forename with historical depth and scholarly resonance.
Pronunciation
English
- Pronunced as HOIL (/hɔɪl/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Hoyle
| Hoyle Granger - |
