Duncan
Every Duncan since 1880 — 21,230 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Duncan
Duncan is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #1,124 in 2025 with 190 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 21,230 American babies have been named Duncan. Its peak came in 1997, when 644 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1990s.
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 Duncan stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Duncan year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 190 | #1,124 |
| 2024 | — | — | 195 | #1,104 |
| 2023 | — | — | 244 | #930 |
| 2022 | — | — | 253 | #915 |
| 2021 | — | — | 216 | #1,018 |
| 2020 | — | — | 217 | #982 |
| 2019 | — | — | 205 | #1,014 |
| 2018 | — | — | 235 | #917 |
| 2017 | — | — | 251 | #869 |
| 2016 | — | — | 286 | #806 |
| 2015 | 5 | #17,192 | 294 | #790 |
| 2014 | — | — | 287 | #801 |
| 2013 | — | — | 262 | #823 |
| 2012 | — | — | 263 | #831 |
| 2011 | — | — | 275 | #801 |
| 2010 | — | — | 329 | #709 |
| 2009 | — | — | 318 | #735 |
| 2008 | — | — | 324 | #716 |
| 2007 | — | — | 288 | #765 |
| 2006 | — | — | 351 | #656 |
| 2005 | — | — | 359 | #619 |
| 2004 | — | — | 402 | #567 |
| 2003 | — | — | 421 | #543 |
| 2002 | — | — | 472 | #487 |
| 2001 | — | — | 500 | #474 |
| 2000 | — | — | 530 | #447 |
| 1995 | — | — | 456 | #473 |
| 1990 | — | — | 190 | #740 |
| 1985 | — | — | 164 | #690 |
| 1980 | — | — | 99 | #901 |
| 1975 | — | — | 85 | #896 |
| 1970 | — | — | 134 | #713 |
| 1965 | — | — | 126 | #661 |
| 1960 | — | — | 174 | #595 |
| 1955 | — | — | 145 | #616 |
| 1950 | — | — | 133 | #590 |
| 1945 | — | — | 114 | #563 |
| 1940 | — | — | 87 | #643 |
| 1935 | — | — | 67 | #753 |
| 1930 | — | — | 67 | #786 |
| 1925 | — | — | 86 | #698 |
| 1920 | — | — | 86 | #696 |
| 1915 | — | — | 70 | #701 |
| 1910 | — | — | 14 | #830 |
| 1905 | — | — | 12 | #713 |
| 1900 | — | — | 17 | #607 |
| 1895 | — | — | 14 | #562 |
| 1890 | — | — | 9 | #684 |
| 1885 | — | — | 14 | #507 |
| 1880 | — | — | 12 | #540 |
Famous people named Duncan
- Duncan I of Scotland Politician · 1001–1040
- Duncan II of Scotland Politician · 1060–1094
- Duncan Haldane Physicist · b. 1951
- Duncan McNaughton Athlete · 1910–1998
- Duncan Jones Film director · b. 1971
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Duncan in 2025?
Duncan ranked #1,124 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 190 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Duncan?
21,230 babies have been named Duncan in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Duncan most popular?
Duncan peaked in 1997, when 644 newborns received the name.
Is Duncan a boy or girl name?
Duncan is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Duncan rising or falling?
Duncan is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Duncan?
Well-known people named Duncan include Duncan I of Scotland (politician), Duncan II of Scotland (politician), Duncan Haldane (physicist).