Douglas Boy

Popularity: #642 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: DUG-ləs //ˈdʌɡləs//

Origin: Scottish; Gaelic

Meaning: Scottish: 'dark stream'; Gaelic: 'from the dark river'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Douglas has its roots in the Scottish Gaelic language, derived from the elements "dubh," meaning "black" or "dark," and "glas," meaning "stream" or "river." This etymology suggests a geographical origin, likely referring to a dark river or stream, and it is associated with several locations in Scotland, particularly the Douglas Water in South Lanarkshire. The name entered the English language through the Norman influence in Scotland during the medieval period, where it became a prominent surname before being adopted as a given name.

Historically, the name Douglas is closely linked to the powerful Douglas family, one of the most significant noble families in Scotland during the Middle Ages. The family rose to prominence in the 14th century, particularly with figures such as Sir James Douglas, a companion of Robert the Bruce, who played a crucial role in the Wars of Scottish Independence.

The family's influence continued through the centuries, with various members serving in significant military and political roles, which helped to cement the name's status in Scottish history. Culturally, the name Douglas carries connotations of strength and nobility, often associated with the rugged landscapes of Scotland.

It has been used in literature and folklore, contributing to its enduring legacy. The name has also inspired various diminutive forms, such as Dougie, which reflect a more familiar or affectionate usage.

Overall, Douglas embodies a rich historical narrative that intertwines with Scottish identity and heritage, making it a name of considerable cultural significance.

Famous people named Douglas

In this section, you will find notable people named Douglas. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Douglas who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Douglas who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Douglas Adams is an author best known for The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, and So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish.

Douglas Fairbanks is an actor and producer best known for The Mark of Zorro, Robin Hood, and The Thief of Bagdad.

Douglas MacArthur is a military leader best known for his role in World War II, the Korean War, and as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers in Japan.

Douglas Sirk is a film director best known for All That Heaven Allows, Written on the Wind, and Imitation of Life.

Douglas Coupland is an author and artist best known for Generation X, Microserfs, and jPod.

Douglas Trumbull is a visual effects supervisor and filmmaker best known for 2001: A Space Odyssey, Blade Runner, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

Douglas Henshall is an actor best known for his role in Shetland, The Secret of Crickley Hall, and Primeval.

Douglas Lima is a mixed martial artist best known for competing in Bellator MMA and winning the Bellator Welterweight Championship.

Douglas Costa is a professional footballer best known for playing with Bayern Munich, Juventus, and the Brazilian national team.

Douglas Booth is an actor best known for Romeo & Juliet, The Dirt, and Noah.

Fictional characters named Douglas

The following list of fictional characters named Douglas is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Douglas Adams is a fictional character from the radio series and book The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. He is the author of the series and a key figure in the narrative, known for his wit and humor.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Douglas, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

DavidDanielDerekDylanDominicDamon

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Douglas. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

DonovanDorianDustinDariusDawsonDuncanDesmondDamon

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Douglas was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Douglas has ranked as high as #53 nationally, which occurred in 1957, and has been most popular in New York, California, Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.

In the past 5 years the name Douglas has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Douglas is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Douglas was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Douglas.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 308 308 0
2024 286 286 0
2023 354 354 0
2022 300 300 0
2021 347 347 0
2020 334 334 0
2019 374 374 0
2018 373 373 0
2017 413 413 0
2016 447 447 0
2015 437 437 0
2014 458 458 0
2013 492 492 0
2012 452 452 0
2011 505 505 0
2010 536 536 0
2009 589 589 0
2008 687 687 0
2007 757 757 0
2006 824 824 0
2005 822 822 0
2004 805 799 6
2003 976 976 0
2002 953 953 0
2001 1,081 1,081 0
2000 1,173 1,173 0
1999 1,290 1,290 0
1998 1,403 1,403 0
1997 1,586 1,586 0
1996 1,798 1,793 5
1995 1,947 1,947 0
1994 2,167 2,162 5
1993 2,473 2,461 12
1992 2,635 2,630 5
1991 3,166 3,156 10
1990 3,557 3,544 13
1989 3,717 3,700 17
1988 3,686 3,655 31
1987 3,828 3,804 24
1986 3,779 3,763 16
1985 4,056 4,021 35
1984 4,176 4,142 34
1983 4,213 4,182 31
1982 4,538 4,511 27
1981 4,822 4,788 34
1980 5,209 5,180 29
1979 5,196 5,167 29
1978 5,181 5,151 30
1977 5,327 5,297 30
1976 5,247 5,224 23
1975 5,377 5,345 32
1974 5,865 5,843 22
1973 6,620 6,595 25
1972 7,426 7,387 39
1971 8,780 8,737 43
1970 10,452 10,409 43
1969 11,278 11,237 41
1968 11,452 11,405 47
1967 11,487 11,434 53
1966 11,446 11,401 45
1965 12,837 12,787 50
1964 14,634 14,600 34
1963 15,116 15,086 30
1962 15,969 15,928 41
1961 16,028 15,978 50
1960 15,166 15,133 33
1959 15,343 15,290 53
1958 15,824 15,798 26
1957 16,765 16,730 35
1956 16,421 16,389 32
1955 15,340 15,311 29
1954 14,723 14,703 20
1953 14,161 14,138 23
1952 13,704 13,680 24
1951 13,933 13,902 31
1950 12,289 12,264 25
1949 11,342 11,322 20
1948 9,505 9,468 37
1947 9,913 9,895 18
1946 8,356 8,336 20
1945 7,415 7,394 21
1944 7,021 6,998 23
1943 8,264 8,236 28
1942 11,271 11,233 38
1941 4,163 4,146 17
1940 3,750 3,732 18
1939 3,573 3,564 9
1938 3,524 3,508 16
1937 2,618 2,610 8
1936 2,387 2,374 13
1935 2,545 2,529 16
1934 2,557 2,541 16
1933 2,266 2,252 14
1932 2,298 2,284 14
1931 2,222 2,203 19
1930 2,193 2,166 27
1929 1,987 1,965 22
1928 1,932 1,912 20
1927 1,836 1,821 15
1926 1,795 1,778 17
1925 1,700 1,677 23
1924 1,700 1,676 24
1923 1,631 1,613 18
1922 1,645 1,636 9
1921 1,582 1,566 16
1920 1,678 1,657 21
1919 1,353 1,328 25
1918 1,446 1,432 14
1917 1,000 981 19
1916 830 815 15
1915 747 734 13
1914 512 502 10
1913 437 428 9
1912 359 350 9
1911 169 169 0
1910 169 169 0
1909 126 126 0
1908 116 111 5
1907 99 99 0
1906 99 99 0
1905 85 85 0
1904 69 64 5
1903 100 100 0
1902 76 76 0
1901 83 83 0
1900 107 107 0
1899 73 73 0
1898 71 71 0
1897 58 58 0
1896 72 72 0
1895 61 61 0
1894 66 66 0
1893 56 56 0
1892 57 57 0
1891 33 33 0
1890 38 38 0
1889 39 39 0
1888 50 50 0
1887 34 34 0
1886 35 35 0
1885 30 30 0
1884 36 36 0
1883 33 33 0
1882 32 32 0
1881 16 16 0
1880 29 29 0

Top States for Douglas (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
NY 21
9%
TX 21
9%
CA 16
7%
MI 16
7%
PA 15
6%
FL 14
6%
NC 14
6%
MD 14
6%
WA 13
6%
OH 12
5%
AL 11
5%
VA 9
4%
NJ 9
4%
IN 8
3%
OR 7
3%
AZ 7
3%
MO 6
3%
KY 6
3%
GA 5
2%
IL 5
2%
UT 5
2%