Meaning & Origin
A habitational surname from Scottish Gaelic of Scottish origin.
Douglas is a boy's and girl's baby name of Scottish Gaelic origin, from the Gaelic Dubhglas, meaning "dark river" — derived from dubh (dark, black) and glas (stream, river). It originated as a powerful Scottish clan name before becoming a widespread given name in the English-speaking world.
Douglas peaked in U.S. popularity from the 1930s through the 1960s. General Douglas MacArthur, one of the most commanding military figures of the 20th century, gave it a heroic, larger-than-life association. A name that projects authority and rugged Scottish character in equal measure.