Douglass
Douglass is a boy's name of Scottish origin.
Meaning
Dark water or black stream.
Origin and history
Douglass is a variant spelling of the traditional Scottish surname Douglas, derived from Gaelic words meaning dark water or black stream. It historically refers to the powerful Clan Douglas of the Scottish Borders. In the United States, it has been used as a given name since the 19th century, often honoring the famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
Popularity in the United States
5,769 babies in the United States have been named Douglass since 1880. It ranks #1594 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1920.
States where it is most popular
- CA (19.8 %)
- PA (19.4 %)
- NY (12.3 %)
- OH (7.4 %)
- TX (7.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 13 |
| 1890-1900 | 11 |
| 1900-1910 | 26 |
| 1910-1920 | 247 |
| 1920-1930 | 402 |
| 1930-1940 | 481 |
| 1940-1950 | 870 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,098 |
| 1960-1970 | 890 |
| 1970-1980 | 798 |
| 1980-1990 | 488 |
| 1990-2000 | 267 |
| 2000-2010 | 105 |
| 2010-2019 | 66 |
| 2020-2029 | 7 |
Famous people named Douglass
- Douglass Wallop: Novelist, Librettist
- Douglass Dumbrille: Actor
- Douglass North: Economist, Academic
Nicknames
Doug, Dougie
Fun facts
- Many parents selected Douglass as a given name in honor of the renowned American abolitionist and statesman Frederick Douglass.
- It shares its etymology with Douglas, deriving from the Gaelic terms dubh (dark) and glais (stream).