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    The first name Dougal

    A boy’s name from Scottish Gaelic meaning “dane”, “black-haired foreigner”, “black”.

    Pronounced /ˈduːɡl̩/ 2 syllables Male Also a surname

    Meaning and origin

    Scottish Gaelic origin

    Dougal means “dane”, “black-haired foreigner”, “black” in Scottish Gaelic.

    Anglicized form of Scottish Gaelic Dùghall, from Old Irish dubgall (“Dane, black-haired foreigner”), synchronically from dubh (“black”) + gall (“stranger”).

    More names that mean black.

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    In 2025, 4 boys were named Dougal, making it the 4,275th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2007, with 11 births (#1,756).

    01020 1996200020052010201520202025
    160
    babies named Dougal, 1996–2025
    #4,275
    rank in 2025
    2007
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Dougal with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Dougal at birth, 1880–2025

    In 1916, 5 boys born in the United States were named Dougal, the 4,077th most popular boys’ name that year.

    0510 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    5
    babies named Dougal since 1880
    #4,077
    rank in 1916
    1916
    peak year

    US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

    Famous people named Dougal

    1 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Dougal Dixon
      British author, born 1947

    More Scottish Gaelic boys’ names

    All 54 names of Scottish Gaelic origin

    Questions

    What does the name Dougal mean?
    Dougal means “dane”, “black-haired foreigner”, “black” in Scottish Gaelic.
    What is the origin of the name Dougal?
    Anglicized form of Scottish Gaelic Dùghall, from Old Irish dubgall (“Dane, black-haired foreigner”), synchronically from dubh (“black”) + gall (“stranger”).
    How popular is the name Dougal?
    In 2025, 4 boys born in England and Wales were named Dougal, ranking 4,275th. Its peak was 2007, with 11 births.
    When was Dougal most popular?
    1916 in the United States, when 5 babies were named Dougal, its highest rank at 4,077th.
    How do you pronounce Dougal?
    Dougal is /ˈduːɡl̩/, 2 syllables.
    Is Dougal also a surname?
    Yes. Dougal is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.