The first name Duke

In 2025, 16 boys were named Duke, making it the 1,613th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2014, with 30 births (#959).

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

In 2025, 390 boys born in the United States were named Duke, the 695th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2018, when 529 were.

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.

• Duke Kahanamoku
  American swimmer, surfer and actor (1890-1968)
• Duke Pearson
  American jazz pianist (1932–1980)
• Duke R. Lee
  Actor (1881-1959)
• Duke Johnson
  American filmmaker (born 1979)
• Duke Jordan
  American jazz pianist (1922–2006)
• Duke Ragan
  American boxer, born 1997
• Duke Erikson
  American musician, singer, songwriter, screenwriter, film producer and record producer, born 1951
• Duke Worne
  Film director and actor (1888-1933)
• Duke Robillard
  American blues musician, born 1948
• Duke Henderson
  American blues shouter and jazz singer, 1925–1972
• Duke Keats
  Canadian ice hockey player (1895–1972)
• Duke Riley
  American football player (born 1994)

How popular is the name Duke?

In 2025, 16 boys born in England and Wales were named Duke, ranking 1,613th. Its peak was 2014, with 30 births.

Is Duke a boy's or a girl's name?

Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 11,595 US babies named Duke since 1880 were boys.

When was Duke most popular?

2018 in the United States, when 529 babies were named Duke, its highest rank at 533rd.

How do you pronounce Duke?

Duke is /duːk/, one syllable.

Is Duke also a surname?

Yes. Duke is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.