Duncan Boy

Popularity: #749 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: DUN-kin //ˈdʌŋ.kɪn//

Origin: Scottish; Gaelic

Meaning: Scottish: dark warrior; Gaelic: brown warrior

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Duncan has its roots in the Gaelic language, derived from the Old Gaelic "Donnchadh," which is composed of the elements "donn," meaning "brown" or "dark," and "chadh," which translates to "warrior" or "fighter." This etymological foundation reflects a common practice in Gaelic naming conventions, where names often denote physical characteristics or attributes associated with strength and valor. The name entered the English language through the influence of Scottish culture, particularly during the medieval period when Gaelic names were adopted into English-speaking communities in Scotland and beyond.

Historically, the name Duncan is most famously associated with Duncan I of Scotland, who reigned in the early 11th century and is often depicted in literature, notably in William Shakespeare's tragedy "Macbeth" (1606). Shakespeare's portrayal of Duncan as a noble and virtuous king has contributed to the name's enduring legacy in literature and culture.

Additionally, the name appears in various historical texts and chronicles, including the "Annals of the Four Masters," which document significant events in Irish and Scottish history. Culturally, Duncan has been embraced in various forms of art and literature, symbolizing nobility and leadership.

The name has also been associated with several saints, including Saint Duncan, who is venerated in certain Christian traditions. The diminutive form "Dunk" has emerged in some contexts, reflecting a more informal or affectionate usage of the name.

Overall, Duncan's historical significance and cultural associations have contributed to its lasting presence in the English-speaking world.

Famous people named Duncan

In this section, you will find notable people named Duncan. 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 Duncan who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Duncan 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.

Duncan Jones is a filmmaker best known for Moon, Source Code, and Warcraft.

Duncan Hines is a businessman best known for his brand of food products and restaurant guidebooks.

Duncan McLeod is a fictional character best known as the protagonist of the Highlander franchise.

Duncan Trussell is a comedian and podcaster best known for The Duncan Trussell Family Hour and his appearances on Joe Rogan's podcast.

Fictional characters named Duncan

The following list of fictional characters named Duncan 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.

Duncan Idaho is a fictional character from the science fiction novel Dune. He is a skilled swordsman and loyal protector of House Atreides, playing a crucial role in the story's events.

Duncan is a fictional character from the animated series DuckTales. He is a member of the Beagle Boys, a group of bumbling criminals who frequently attempt to steal from Scrooge McDuck.

Sibling suggestions

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

MalcolmFergusEwanGavinAlistairRonan

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Duncan. 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.

DonovanDorianDesmondDariusDamonDustinDawsonDylan

U.S. Historical Usage

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

Duncan has ranked as high as #780 nationally, which occurred in 1997, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Michigan, and Massachusetts.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Duncan 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 Duncan 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 Duncan.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 190 190 0
2024 195 195 0
2023 244 244 0
2022 253 253 0
2021 216 216 0
2020 217 217 0
2019 205 205 0
2018 235 235 0
2017 251 251 0
2016 286 286 0
2015 299 294 5
2014 287 287 0
2013 262 262 0
2012 263 263 0
2011 275 275 0
2010 329 329 0
2009 318 318 0
2008 324 324 0
2007 288 288 0
2006 351 351 0
2005 359 359 0
2004 402 402 0
2003 421 421 0
2002 472 472 0
2001 500 500 0
2000 530 530 0
1999 576 576 0
1998 641 641 0
1997 644 644 0
1996 511 505 6
1995 456 456 0
1994 388 388 0
1993 326 326 0
1992 260 260 0
1991 235 235 0
1990 190 190 0
1989 208 208 0
1988 170 170 0
1987 163 163 0
1986 162 162 0
1985 164 164 0
1984 137 137 0
1983 132 132 0
1982 94 94 0
1981 85 85 0
1980 99 99 0
1979 85 85 0
1978 85 85 0
1977 76 76 0
1976 83 83 0
1975 85 85 0
1974 85 85 0
1973 121 121 0
1972 84 84 0
1971 95 95 0
1970 134 134 0
1969 97 97 0
1968 98 98 0
1967 84 84 0
1966 106 106 0
1965 126 126 0
1964 154 154 0
1963 263 263 0
1962 142 142 0
1961 145 145 0
1960 174 174 0
1959 253 253 0
1958 281 281 0
1957 208 208 0
1956 178 178 0
1955 145 145 0
1954 157 157 0
1953 149 149 0
1952 141 141 0
1951 138 138 0
1950 133 133 0
1949 140 140 0
1948 133 133 0
1947 158 158 0
1946 120 120 0
1945 114 114 0
1944 102 102 0
1943 106 106 0
1942 117 117 0
1941 101 101 0
1940 87 87 0
1939 67 67 0
1938 69 69 0
1937 71 71 0
1936 68 68 0
1935 67 67 0
1934 53 53 0
1933 61 61 0
1932 66 66 0
1931 64 64 0
1930 67 67 0
1929 71 71 0
1928 89 89 0
1927 57 57 0
1926 72 72 0
1925 86 86 0
1924 77 77 0
1923 72 72 0
1922 82 82 0
1921 75 75 0
1920 86 86 0
1919 72 72 0
1918 81 81 0
1917 68 68 0
1916 66 66 0
1915 70 70 0
1914 53 53 0
1913 47 47 0
1912 46 46 0
1911 25 25 0
1910 14 14 0
1908 14 14 0
1907 12 12 0
1906 11 11 0
1905 12 12 0
1904 16 16 0
1903 16 16 0
1902 11 11 0
1901 7 7 0
1900 17 17 0
1899 10 10 0
1898 13 13 0
1897 8 8 0
1896 14 14 0
1895 14 14 0
1894 10 10 0
1893 10 10 0
1892 19 19 0
1891 10 10 0
1890 9 9 0
1889 16 16 0
1888 15 15 0
1887 18 18 0
1886 12 12 0
1885 14 14 0
1884 10 10 0
1883 18 18 0
1882 12 12 0
1881 12 12 0
1880 12 12 0

Top States for Duncan (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
TX 15
11%
NY 13
10%
VA 11
8%
UT 10
8%
IL 9
7%
CA 8
6%
OH 8
6%
MN 7
5%
CO 6
5%
OR 6
5%
IN 6
5%
PA 6
5%
MI 6
5%
TN 6
5%
NC 5
4%
WA 5
4%
MO 5
4%