Douglas
Douglas: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈdʌɡləs/
Meaning and origin of Douglas
Root meaning: “black”
- A male given name transferred from the surname.
Etymology
From a place name, Scottish Gaelic dubh (“black”) + glais (“stream”).
How popular is Douglas?
Since 1880, 2,073 girls and 560,013 boys in the U.S. have been named Douglas (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1306 in 1942. Its highest rank for boys was #23 in 1942. In 2025 it ranked #807 for boys, with 308 babies given the name.
Names similar to Douglas
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Surname boy names
Sibling name ideas for Douglas
Sister and brother names that share Douglas's Surname roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Douglas FAQ
What does the name Douglas mean?
Douglas traces back to a root meaning "black". A male given name transferred from the surname. From a place name, Scottish Gaelic dubh (“black”) + glais (“stream”).
What is the origin of the name Douglas?
Douglas is listed as a name of Surname (transferred from a surname) origin.
How popular is the name Douglas?
Since 1880, 2,073 girls and 560,013 boys in the U.S. have been named Douglas (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1306 in 1942. Its highest rank for boys was #23 in 1942. In 2025 it ranked #807 for boys, with 308 babies given the name.
Is Douglas a boy or girl name?
Douglas is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 2,073 girls and 560,013 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.