Duncan
Duncan is a boy's name of Scottish origin.
Meaning
Dark warrior or brown warrior.
Origin and history
Duncan is an Anglicized form of the Scottish Gaelic name Donnchadh, composed of elements meaning 'brown' and 'warrior'. The name has a long history in Scotland, famously borne by medieval Scottish kings including King Duncan I depicted in Shakespeare's Macbeth. In the United States, Duncan has enjoyed steady, moderate popularity as a classic traditional name.
Popularity in the United States
21,219 babies in the United States have been named Duncan since 1880. It ranks #810 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #930.
States where it is most popular
- CA (12.6 %)
- NY (8.2 %)
- TX (7.9 %)
- MI (5.6 %)
- MA (5.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 139 |
| 1890-1900 | 117 |
| 1900-1910 | 116 |
| 1910-1920 | 542 |
| 1920-1930 | 767 |
| 1930-1940 | 653 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,178 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,783 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,389 |
| 1970-1980 | 933 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,414 |
| 1990-2000 | 4,221 |
| 2000-2010 | 3,965 |
| 2010-2019 | 2,687 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,315 |
Famous people named Duncan
- Duncan Sheik: Singer-songwriter, Composer
- Duncan Jones: Film Director, Screenwriter
- Duncan Laurence: Singer, Songwriter
Nicknames
Dunc
Fun facts
- It was borne by two 11th-century kings of Scotland, most notably King Duncan I.
- Derived from the Old Gaelic elements 'donn' meaning brown and 'chadh' meaning warrior or chief.