Given name & surname
Duke
“a title of nobility; a leader”
Duke is used as a given name, a surname, and a nickname. One English interpretation is “a title of nobility; a leader.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
One English interpretation is “a title of nobility; a leader.”
Where it comes from
An origin associated with this spelling is English.
How it developed
Duke is a short form of Marmaduke.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1880. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Duke through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 11,595
- 11,595 boys · 0 girls
- Most popular year
- 2018
- 529 babies
- 2025
- 390
- #695 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −21%
- Easing
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 390 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 695 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 20.9% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for boys was 529 in 2018. In 2025, California had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (43). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 8,029 as a first name in 2020; 33,324 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Duke’s family of names
Duke is a short form of Marmaduke. Duke has a related form in Dook. Duke has a related form in Dooke.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 9
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Show 1 moreShow fewer
See also 4
Names our sources mention alongside this one. They are related in story or meaning, not forms of this name.
People named Duke
- Duke KahanamokuAmerican swimmer, surfer and actor (1890-1968)
- Duke Nalonracecar driver (1913–2001)
- Duke LacroixHaitian-American soccer playerborn 1993
- Duke PearsonAmerican jazz pianist (1932–1980)
- Duke JordanAmerican jazz pianist (1922–2006)
- Duke JohnsonAmerican filmmakerborn 1979
- Duke R. Leeactor (1881-1959)
- Duke SniderMajor League Baseball outfielder (1926-2011)
- Duke Dinsmoreracecar driver (1913-1985)
Characters named Duke: Duke Nukem (protagonist of the eponymous video game series).
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Duke, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Zane
“one who is bold”
99% boys · 1% girls
Lane
“one who takes the narrow path”
93% boys · 7% girls
Rome
“Rome, Constantinople”
90% boys · 10% girls
Holden
“one who is willing and eager” · “from the hollow in the valley”
99% boys · 1% girls
Ace
“one who excels; number one; the best”
99% boys · 1% girls
Colt
“a young horse; from the coal town”
>99% boys
Maddox
“born into wealth and prosperity” · “the son of the benefactor”
96% boys · 4% girls
Tucker
“one who makes garments”
99% boys · 1% girls