Boy · 29th of 7,552
Douglas
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
561,781
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1957
Peak Popularity Year
16,766
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Douglas stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Douglas is a name of Scottish Gaelic origin, meaning 'black stream'. It evolved from the historical form 'Dubhglas' to its current form. The name is associated with strength and reliability, has no direct biblical relevance, and gained popularity through notable historical figures and families.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈdʌɡləs/
Origin
Scottish Gaelic
Etymology
The name Douglas is derived from the Scottish Gaelic elements 'dubh' meaning 'black' and 'glas' meaning 'stream' or 'river'. Thus, the name can be interpreted as 'black stream'.
Meaning
black stream
Language Evolution
Dubhglas, Douglas
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in Scotland during the Middle Ages, particularly associated with the powerful Douglas family. It became more common in the English-speaking world during the 19th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Dougie, Dug, Doug
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Douglas is perceived as a classic and strong name, often associated with reliability and tradition. It remains popular in various English-speaking countries.
Famous People
Douglas MacArthur, Douglas Adams, Douglas Fairbanks
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 16,766 peak births in 1957
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in South Dakota
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 13 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 4 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 13 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 127th of 7545 | 21,175 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 55th of 6773 | 71,648 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 29th of 7552 | 263,945 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 43rd of 10718 | 128,614 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 98th of 16616 | 54,258 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 337th of 24088 | 14,433 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 678th of 23106 | 4,609 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2264th of 9107 | 267 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1922nd of 9204 | 339 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1968th of 12526 | 581 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 2264th of 19264 | 581 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 4738th of 27321 | 299 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 33240th of 35406 | 6 |