Duc
A boy's name of Vietnamese origin with 421 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A French duke.
Duc is a boy's baby name of Vietnamese origin, meaning 'virtue' or 'moral excellence' in Vietnamese, one of the most valued qualities in Confucian-influenced Vietnamese culture. As a name, it carries the aspiration that its bearer will embody goodness and ethical living.
Duc is a name of quiet moral weight — one syllable that in Vietnamese culture carries the entire concept of virtuous character. For Vietnamese American families, it connects a child to both cultural identity and one of the highest values in the Vietnamese ethical tradition.
EtymologyShow more
Duc appeared in SSA records in 1975, placing it in the modern era of American naming — a period when parents increasingly began breaking from generational naming patterns, experimenting with spelling, and treating naming as a form of creative self-expression. Its Vietnamese roots may have been the starting point, adapted or respelled to fit contemporary American tastes.
With only 421 recorded births, Duc has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Duc has 38+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1975.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 29 | #11675 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 61 | #9628 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 131 | #5010 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 164 | #3108 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 36 | #3980 | — |
The Story of Duc
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1982, Duc is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Duc are most likely born between 1975 and 1992.
How rare is Duc?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Duc is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1975, peaked in the 1980s with 164 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Duc by the numbers
- Would fill 9 school buses
- Meeting one Duc per day would take 1.2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(38 years, 1975–2017)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 5 | #12804 |
| 2016 | 6 | #11094 |
| 2014 | 5 | #12582 |
| 2012 | 8 | #9087 |
| 2011 | 5 | #12809 |
| 2008 | 6 | #11461 |
| 2007 | 7 | #10059 |
| 2006 | 6 | #11033 |
| 2005 | 9 | #7812 |
| 2004 | 7 | #9198 |
| 2003 | 5 | #11374 |
| 2002 | 7 | #8706 |
| 2001 | 7 | #8558 |
| 2000 | 7 | #8453 |
| 1999 | 15 | #4596 |
| 1998 | 5 | #10068 |
| 1997 | 11 | #5382 |
| 1996 | 13 | #4684 |
| 1995 | 13 | #4593 |
| 1994 | 16 | #3970 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Duc a boy's or girl's name?
When was Duc most popular?
How popular is the name Duc?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1975–2017