Duke
Every Duke since 1880 — 11,595 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Duke
Duke is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #695 in 2025 with 390 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 11,595 American babies have been named Duke. Its peak came in 2018, when 529 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Duke stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Duke year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 390 | #695 |
| 2024 | 381 | #705 |
| 2023 | 395 | #683 |
| 2022 | 403 | #678 |
| 2021 | 419 | #652 |
| 2020 | 424 | #633 |
| 2019 | 522 | #541 |
| 2018 | 529 | #533 |
| 2017 | 523 | #541 |
| 2016 | 515 | #558 |
| 2015 | 455 | #603 |
| 2014 | 384 | #669 |
| 2013 | 323 | #722 |
| 2012 | 160 | #1,147 |
| 2011 | 147 | #1,201 |
| 2010 | 141 | #1,247 |
| 2009 | 89 | #1,733 |
| 2008 | 104 | #1,548 |
| 2007 | 96 | #1,615 |
| 2006 | 89 | #1,621 |
| 2005 | 75 | #1,759 |
| 2004 | 62 | #1,959 |
| 2003 | 74 | #1,678 |
| 2002 | 59 | #1,900 |
| 2001 | 53 | #2,013 |
| 2000 | 55 | #1,900 |
| 1995 | 55 | #1,655 |
| 1990 | 59 | #1,471 |
| 1985 | 37 | #1,681 |
| 1980 | 47 | #1,383 |
| 1975 | 44 | #1,308 |
| 1970 | 78 | #905 |
| 1965 | 70 | #877 |
| 1960 | 96 | #776 |
| 1955 | 85 | #794 |
| 1950 | 60 | #887 |
| 1945 | 35 | #1,106 |
| 1940 | 45 | #955 |
| 1935 | 22 | #1,463 |
| 1930 | 33 | #1,241 |
| 1925 | 45 | #1,025 |
| 1920 | 33 | #1,259 |
| 1915 | 35 | #1,091 |
| 1910 | 13 | #883 |
| 1905 | 6 | #1,130 |
| 1900 | 11 | #798 |
| 1895 | 7 | #903 |
| 1890 | 7 | #830 |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | 7 | #765 |
Famous people named Duke
- Duke Ellington Musician · 1899–1974
- Duke Maximilian Joseph in Bavaria Nobleman · 1808–1888
- Duke Henry of Mecklenburg-Schwerin Politician · 1876–1934
- Duke Huan of Qi Politician · -800–-643
- Duke Wen of Jin Politician · -697–-628
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Duke in 2025?
Duke ranked #695 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 390 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Duke?
11,595 babies have been named Duke in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Duke most popular?
Duke peaked in 2018, when 529 newborns received the name.
Is Duke a boy or girl name?
Duke is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Duke rising or falling?
Duke has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Duke?
Well-known people named Duke include Duke Ellington (musician), Duke Maximilian Joseph in Bavaria (nobleman), Duke Henry of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (politician).