How Many People Are Named Duncan?
Complete statistics for the name Duncan: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Duncan, a very rare male name, is held by just 1 in 19,378 Americans today, totaling 17,029 people. That's a lot of Duncans, but still pretty exclusive! The majority, 46%, are under 30, making it a truly modern choice.
📖 Meaning & Origin
People with the life path number 3 are known for their creativity and ability to inspire others.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 43All 21,031 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1997Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Slowly declining
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Duncan Through the Generations
With its peak popularity in 1997 when 644 babies were named Duncan, this name has seen a steady decline since then. Today, there are 17,029 people named Duncan in the United States, with an average age of 43. The age distribution shows 9,641 under 30, 5,102 between 30 and 60, and 6,288 over 60, indicating a younger demographic compared to older generations. This trend suggests that Duncan remains a popular choice among parents looking for a modern name.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
⭐ Famous People Named Duncan
Duncan is an Anglicised form of Irish Donnchadh. One of the first people to bear the name was king of Dál Riata Dúnchad mac Dubáin, who was possibly the grandfather of Fiannamail ua Dúnchado-Fiannamail O'Dúnchado. The final letter n in the Anglicised Duncan seems to be a result of confusion in the Latin form of the name—Duncanus—with the Gaelic word ceann, meaning "head". One opinion is that the Gaelic Donnchadh is composed of the elements donn, meaning "dark or dark-haired man" or "chieftain"; and cath, meaning "battle", together meaning "dark-haired or dark warrior". Another opinion is that …
Full list on Wikipedia →🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Duncan's Scottish roots
📄 About the Name Duncan
How Many People Have the Name Duncan?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 129,708 people in the United States currently share the name Duncan. That works out to roughly 1 in every 2,555 Americans, placing it in the Uncommon category.
Is Duncan a Common or Rare Name?
Duncan is classified as Uncommon. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Duncan in SSA data, approximately 100% are male and 0% are female.
When Was Duncan Most Popular?
The name Duncan reached peak popularity in 1997, with 644 babies registered that year. Current trend: Slowly declining.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Duncan?
Approximately 129,708 people named Duncan live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 129,708. That works out to roughly 1 in 2,555 Americans.
Is Duncan a rare name?
Duncan is classified as Uncommon in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 2,555 Americans has this name.
What does the name Duncan mean?
The meaning and origin of Duncan are shown in the Meaning & Origin section on this page.
Is Duncan more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 100% of people named Duncan are male and 0% are female.
When was Duncan most popular?
Duncan peaked in 1997 with 644 births that year. Current trend: Slowly declining.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.