Is Douglas a boy's or girl's name?

Douglas is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 2,073 recorded births.

When was Douglas most popular?

Douglas reached its peak popularity in 1957 with 16,731 births that year. It is currently ranked #853 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Douglas?

Douglas is currently ranked #853 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 559,708 babies since 1880.

Douglas

A familiar Scottish Gaelic name with steady appeal.

Boy's name| Also girlsScottish GaelicDeclining Also a pet name

#853▼ 109in 2024

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.

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Popularity Over Time

Douglas was #353 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #853, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Douglas
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	1,617	#780	▼
2010s	4,485	#591	▼
2000s	8,661	#352	▼
1990s	21,971	#166	▼
1980s	41,746	#76	▼
1970s	65,164	#51	▼
1960s	134,993	#31	—
1950s	148,204	#29	▲
1940s	80,757	#35	▲
1930s	26,032	#76	▲
1920s	17,301	#105	▲
1910s	6,908	#154	▲
1900s	950	#194	▲
1890s	585	#229	▲
1880s	334	#302	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Douglas
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	283	#853	-71 (-20.1%)
2023	354	#744	+55 (18.4%)
2022	299	#829	-48 (-13.8%)
2021	347	#737	+13 (3.9%)
2020	334	#735	-39 (-10.5%)
2019	373	#685	0
2018	373	#673	-40 (-9.7%)
2017	413	#629	-34 (-7.6%)
2016	447	#603	+11 (2.5%)
2015	436	#615	-22 (-4.8%)
2014	458	#598	-34 (-6.9%)
2013	492	#541	+40 (8.8%)
2012	452	#571	-53 (-10.5%)
2011	505	#514	-31 (-5.8%)
2010	536	#485	-53 (-9.0%)
2009	589	#462	-98 (-14.3%)
2008	687	#424	-70 (-9.2%)
2007	757	#394	-67 (-8.1%)
2006	824	#362	+2 (0.2%)
2005	822	#359	+23 (2.9%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Douglas as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Douglas has also been given to 2,073 girls in the U.S. since 1904.

Unranked

Current rank

2,073

Total births

1959

Peak year

Compare Douglas as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Douglas be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Douglas is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #853. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Douglas has two lives

Douglas, the baby name

#853boys

559,708 babies

Currently viewing

Douglas, the pet name

#1410pet name

76 pets

View pet page →

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology