Find out how popular the first name Duncan has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Duncan by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Duncan is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Duncan being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 243 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Duncan.

The history of the first name Duncan

The name Duncan has its origins in the Scottish Gaelic language, deriving from the word "Donnchadh" which means "brown warrior" or "dark brown". It is composed of the elements "donn" meaning brown and "cath" meaning battle or warrior.

This name has been present in Scotland since ancient times and is believed to have been used by various Scottish clans and families for centuries. The earliest recorded instance of this name dates back to the 6th century, when it was borne by a Scottish king known as Duncan I, who reigned from 1034 to 1040.

In the realm of literature, the name Duncan gained significant prominence through its inclusion in William Shakespeare's famous play "Macbeth". In the play, Duncan is portrayed as the rightful and virtuous King of Scotland, who is ultimately betrayed and murdered by the ambitious Macbeth.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Duncan. One of the most famous was Duncan I, the King of Scotland mentioned earlier, who ascended to the throne after the death of his grandfather, King Malcolm II. Another prominent figure was Duncan II, who ruled as the King of Scots from 1094 to 1097.

Beyond the realm of royalty, other notable individuals with the name include Duncan Grant (1885-1978), a British artist and member of the Bloomsbury Group, and Duncan Jones (1971-present), a British film director known for directing movies such as "Moon" and "Warcraft".

Another famous bearer of this name was Duncan Hines (1880-1959), an American traveling salesman and restaurant entrepreneur who pioneered the concept of restaurant ratings and published a series of successful guidebooks for travelers seeking quality dining experiences.

It is worth noting that while the name Duncan has its roots in Scotland, it has since gained popularity and usage in various other parts of the world, particularly in English-speaking countries.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Duncan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Duncan, please contact us.

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