Holding steady.
Popularity of Duff since 1880
Babies named Duff per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1954, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Duff's real moment was 1880.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 10 |
| 1890s | 0 |
| 1900s | 0 |
| 1910s | 13 |
| 1920s | 27 |
| 1930s | 13 |
| 1940s | 42 |
| 1950s | 177 |
| 1960s | 117 |
| 1970s | 36 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 6 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Duff is a name with deep Scottish and Irish roots, likely derived from the Gaelic word for 'dark'. It first appeared in US records in 1880, its peak year, with a modest count of births, but it has never ranked in the top 1000. The name has maintained a stable but very low trajectory, remaining an uncommon choice. Its top associated states in the past were limited, and it has not seen a resurgence. The lack of a rank or one-in-N figure reflects its rarity, making it a distinctive option for those seeking a name tied to Celtic heritage.
Duff is a name of uncertain origin, possibly derived from the Scottish Gaelic 'dubh' meaning 'dark' or 'black', referring to dark hair or complexion. It has historically been used as a Scottish surname before occasional use as a first name. In Irish tradition, it may also stem from the Gaelic 'Ó Duibh', meaning 'descendant of Dubh'.
Sibling names for Duff
Names that share Duff's style, for a brother or sister.
