Holding steady.
Popularity of Duan since 1953
Babies named Duan per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 25 |
| 1960s | 72 |
| 1970s | 153 |
| 1980s | 132 |
| 1990s | 103 |
| 2000s | 73 |
| 2010s | 13 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Duan has been in use as a given name since at least 1953, but it has never appeared in the U.S. top 1000. Its peak year was 1976, suggesting a small spike during the 1970s, after which usage remained stable but rare. The name's trajectory is classified as stable, meaning it has not experienced dramatic rises or falls in recent decades. While no top states have been recorded with notable frequency, Duan may be encountered more commonly in areas with families of Irish or Chinese heritage. Its versatility as a brief, one-syllable name contributes to its quiet persistence.
Duan is likely an Anglicized form of the Irish surname Duane or Dwane, which itself derives from the Gaelic 'Ó Dubháin' meaning 'descendant of Dubhán', a personal name from 'dubh' meaning 'black'. However, in the United States it may also represent a transferred use of the Chinese surname Duan (段). As a given name, it has seen modest usage since the mid-20th century, particularly in the 1970s when it peaked.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Duan
Names that share Duan's style, for a brother or sister.
