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NamyLab

Duncan

male
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Dark Warrior"

From Gaelic elements often interpreted as dark and warrior, borne by several Scottish historical figures and kings.

Themes:scottishwarriorgaelic
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Fact-checked by Lily Anderson

M.F.A. Creative Writing, Sarah LawrencePublished NovelistName Collection Curator • Creative Names Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Duncan

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#1102Ranked in 2024

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#1102

Duncan was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
-172

lower than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Duncan Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Duncan.

9 ideas
dunc
Nickname
duny
Nickname
cany
Nickname
du
Nickname
dy
Nickname
do
Nickname
ddie
Nickname
ncan
Nickname
ncay
Nickname

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Baby Name Lists That Include Duncan

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Duncan, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

23 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Duncan mean?
Duncan means "Dark Warrior". From Gaelic elements often interpreted as dark and warrior, borne by several Scottish historical figures and kings.
What is the origin of Duncan?
Duncan is of Scottish Gaelic origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Duncan?
According to the latest SSA data, Duncan is currently ranked #1102 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Duncan a boy name?
Duncan is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Duncan?
Popular nicknames for Duncan include dunc, duny, cany, du, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Duncan?
There are many names similar to Duncan in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginScottish Gaelic
Syllables2
Length6 letters
US Rank#1102
Trend↓ Falling
Starts withD

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Boy Names Like Duncan

Duncan has Scottish Gaelic roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Scottish Gaelic baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Duncan appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Names That Mean Warrior and Beautiful Irish Baby Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Unique Baby Names and Names That Mean Fire Warrior for Boys and Girls.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Duncan pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Duncan beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.