Duke
Gender: Boy
Meaning: Leader, noble title
Origin: Latin/Old French
Popularity: Ranked #695 in 2025 with 390 babies born.
History: Duke derives from the Latin 'dux,' meaning leader, which became a noble title in medieval Europe. It has been used as a given name in the United States, associated with jazz musician Duke Ellington and actor John Wayne, whose nickname was Duke.
Name length: 4 letters
How common is Duke? About 1 in 8,535 babies born in 2025 were named Duke, or roughly 1.1 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Duke
What does the name Duke mean?
Duke means “Leader, noble title” from Latin/Old French roots.
What is the origin of the name Duke?
Duke has Latin/Old French origin. The traditional meaning is “Leader, noble title”.
How popular is Duke?
Duke ranked #695 in 2025 — given to 390 babies that year.
When was Duke most popular?
Duke peaked in 2018 with 529 babies registered that year.
Is Duke a boy or girl name?
Duke is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Dukes in registered births are male.
Is the name Duke rising or falling in popularity?
Duke has fallen 62 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #633 in 2020 to #695 in 2025.
How long has Duke been recorded?
Duke appears in birth records across 141 years — from 1880 through 2025.