Duncan
Duncan: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈdʌŋkən/
Meaning and origin of Duncan
Root meaning: “brown”
- A male given name from Scottish Gaelic anglicized from Scottish Gaelic Donnchadh; the name of two early saints and of two kings of Scotland.
Etymology
As a Scottish Gaelic and Irish surname, from Donnchadh, a name composed of donn (“brown”) + cath (“battle”). Also spelled as Donagh and Donaghue, Donahue. * Also as an Irish surname, Anglicized from Ó Duinnchinn, from donn (“brown”) + ceann (“head”).
How popular is Duncan?
Since 1880, 11 girls and 21,219 boys in the U.S. have been named Duncan (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #12286 in 1996. Its highest rank for boys was #378 in 1997. In 2025, 190 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Duncan
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
Duncan FAQ
What does the name Duncan mean?
Duncan traces back to a root meaning "brown". A male given name from Scottish Gaelic anglicized from Scottish Gaelic Donnchadh; the name of two early saints and of two kings of Scotland. As a Scottish Gaelic and Irish surname, from Donnchadh, a name composed of donn (“brown”) + cath (“battle”). Also spelled as Donagh and Donaghue, Donahue. * Also as an Irish surname, Anglicized from Ó Duinnchinn, from donn (“brown”) + ceann (“head”).
What is the origin of the name Duncan?
Duncan is listed as a name of Scottish Gaelic anglicized from Scottish origin.
How popular is the name Duncan?
Since 1880, 11 girls and 21,219 boys in the U.S. have been named Duncan (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #12286 in 1996. Its highest rank for boys was #378 in 1997. In 2025, 190 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Duncan a boy or girl name?
Duncan is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 11 girls and 21,219 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.