Duke

Meaning of Duke

This name comes from a title of nobility, meaning a high-ranking leader or nobleman.

Duke has Latin roots — browse every Latin baby name in our catalog.

Popularity of Duke

Duke is climbing again, up to #695 in 2025 from #709 in 2024 after peaking at #533 in 2018.

Notable people named Duke

• Duke Ellington
  Legendary jazz musician and composer
• Duke Snider
  Hall of Fame baseball outfielder
• Duke Kahanamoku
  Olympic swimmer, surfing legend
• Duke Johnson Jr.
  Professional American football running back
• Duke Roufus
  Champion kickboxer, MMA coach

More Latin names

Questions about the name Duke

What does the name Duke mean?

Duke means this name comes from a title of nobility, meaning a high-ranking leader or nobleman, and it comes from Latin origins.

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

Duke is most commonly used as a boy's name in the United States.

How popular is the name Duke?

In 2025, Duke ranked #695 for boys, up from #709 the year before.

When was Duke most popular?

Duke peaked at #533 in 2018.