Douglas
Peaked at #23 nationally in 1942, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, Douglas has been recorded <1% of the time for girls and >99% of the time for boys.
Meaning & origin
Douglas is a Scottish surname and place name, from the Gaelic "dubh glas," meaning "dark water" or "black stream," describing a river. The Douglas clan was one of medieval Scotland's most powerful noble families.
Notable people & culture
Douglas peaked at #23 in 1942; actor Kirk Douglas and his son Michael Douglas both carried the name into Hollywood prominence across two generations.
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Douglas — Girls (United States)
StablePeak rank
#1306
in 1942
Last ranked
#14662
in 2004
Years tracked
87
1904–2004
Trend
Stable
Tracked since 1904, Douglas reached its peak popularity for girls in 1942, ranking #1306 nationally with 38 babies given the name that year.
Douglas hasn't appeared among the national top ranks for girls since 2004, when it stood at #14662.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | #14,662 | 6 |
| 1996 | #14,135 | 5 |
| 1994 | #14,072 | 5 |
| 1993 | #7,153 | 12 |
| 1992 | #13,908 | 5 |
| 1991 | #8,140 | 10 |
| 1990 | #6,574 | 13 |
| 1989 | #5,107 | 17 |
Douglas — Boys (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#23
in 1942
Current rank
#853
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1880, Douglas reached its peak popularity for boys in 1942, ranking #23 nationally with 11,234 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #598 (2014) to #853 (2024) — a 30% drop.
As of 2024, Douglas ranks #853 nationally for boys, with 283 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #853 | 283 |
| 2023 | #744 | 354 |
| 2022 | #829 | 299 |
| 2021 | #737 | 347 |
| 2020 | #735 | 334 |
| 2019 | #685 | 373 |
| 2018 | #673 | 373 |
| 2017 | #629 | 413 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — boys' names only.
Common Questions
When was Douglas most popular?
Douglas was most popular in 1942, when it ranked #23 nationally for boys — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Douglas becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently stable; for boys, it's currently falling, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Douglas?
At least 561,781 babies have been recorded with the name Douglas in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
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