Boy name · Latin
Duke
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: leaderDuke is a boy's name that comes from Latin and means "leader". It is used in English.
- Meaning
- Leader
- Origin
- Latin
- Gender
- Boy
- US rank
- #695 in 2025
Meaning and origin of Duke
As a boy's name, Duke comes from Latin and means "leader". It is used in English.
Duke is also a surname: the 1,036th most common in the 2020 US Census, held by 33,324 people. See the most common last names.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Duke on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Duke on 9 lists.
“Royal swagger without the paperwork”
From Nicknames that start with D, cool nicknames that start with D
“John Wayne's own nickname”
From Redneck names for boys, nickname-style redneck boy names
“A noble title for a cat who carries himself with authority”
From Boy cat names, strong male cat names
“A noble title for a dignified, laid-back dog”
From Boy dog names, popular boy dog names
“From Latin dux, leader; a cowboy-movie favorite”
From Cowboy names, western boy names
“Royalty of the front steps”
From Porch goose names, boy porch goose names
“A noble name for a small dog with big dignity”
From Taco Bell chihuahua name, boy chihuahua names
“Leader; Latin dux, a noble title turned name”
From Strong boy names, powerful boy names for kings and leaders
“Commanding name with a noble swagger”
From Tyranitar nicknames, boy Tyranitar nicknames
How popular is Duke?
- US rank in 2025
- #695
- 390 babies, 228 per million boys
- Best rank
- #533 in 2018
- 529 babies that year
- Babies since 1880
- At least 11,595
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 32 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 59 per million |
| 1900s | 52 per million |
| 1910s | 41 per million |
| 1920s | 33 per million |
| 1930s | 33 per million |
| 1940s | 29 per million |
| 1950s | 39 per million |
| 1960s | 41 per million |
| 1970s | 33 per million |
| 1980s | 24 per million |
| 1990s | 29 per million |
| 2000s | 38 per million |
| 2010s | 197 per million |
| 2020s | 233 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #558 | #541 | #533 | #541 | #633 | #652 | #678 | #683 | #705 | #695 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Names spelled like Duke
One or two letters apart, but from a different root: they look alike without sharing a meaning.
Names with a similar meaning
- HadiGuide, leader (Arabic, boy)
- AmiraPrincess, leader (Arabic, girl)
- CadwaladrLeader of the battle (Welsh, boy)
- DuraiChief, leader (Tamil, boy)
- ProkhorLeader of the dance (Greek, boy)
- SerkanLeader, chief (Turkish, boy)
Middle names for Duke
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a longer length, so the full name flows.
More boy names from Latin
Duke: common questions
What does the name Duke mean?
Duke comes from Latin and means "leader".
Is Duke a boy or girl name?
Duke is mainly a boy's name.
Where does the name Duke come from?
Duke comes from Latin and means "leader". Today it is used in English.
How popular is the name Duke?
Duke ranked #695 in the US in 2025, with 390 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What names are similar to Duke?
Names spelled like Duke include Duff, Dale, Dekel and Drake.
What middle names go with Duke?
Middle names that flow well with Duke include Brooks, Chase, Leland, Louis and Preston. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.