Declining since 1985, #1,564 for boys today.
Popularity of Dwayne since 1912
Babies named Dwayne per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 161 |
| 1920s | 775 |
| 1930s | 1,816 |
| 1940s | 2,743 |
| 1950s | 7,878 |
| 1960s | 26,788 |
| 1970s | 14,811 |
| 1980s | 9,064 |
| 1990s | 5,608 |
| 2000s | 3,488 |
| 2010s | 2,729 |
| 2020s | 877 |
Meaning & origin
Dwayne, as recorded by U.S. Social Security data, first appeared on the charts in 1912 and reached its peak popularity in 1961. Since 1985 it has been declining, and in 2025 it ranked 1,564th with a usage rate of 1 in 15,670. The name was most common in Louisiana, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. While its peak era was the 1960s, it continues to be used in modest numbers, reflecting a shift away from the mid-century style. Dwayne represents a phonetic respelling of the Irish surname Duane, and its trajectory illustrates broader naming trends, including the rise and fall of surname-derived first names.
Dwayne is a respelled variant of Duane, itself an Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Dubháin, meaning 'descendant of Dubhán'. The root dubh means 'black' or 'dark'. The spelling Dwayne emerged in the United States in the early 20th century as a phonetic variant, becoming particularly popular in the mid-1900s.
Where Dwayne is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Dwayne” around the world
Where Dwayne lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
20
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: D, Dwy
Sibling names for Dwayne
Names that share Dwayne's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Brittany, Kimberly, Shannon, Tara, Megan, Janelle, Dionne, Janell, Joleen, Jolyn, Larraine, Latricia, Letisha, Nichelle, Roxann, Shantel, Shonda, Tawana, Cheree, Cherelle, Cherise, Darice, Denita, Donielle, Gaylene, Jamesha, Janean, Jeanene, Jenise, Jeralyn, Johnetta, Jonelle, Katrice, Kenisha, Lachelle, Lanette, Lavonda, Lavone, Lawana, Machelle, Necole, Quanisha, Racquel, Ranae, Renay, Renea, Sherice, Starlene, Twana, Twanna, Valinda, Candise, Chantay, Charese, Charmane, Charnae, Chaundra, Chauntel, Cherese, Cherice, Cherrelle, Davette, Deatrice, Denee, Denine, Dewana, Djuana, Donyelle, Dorena, Dwanna, Gayleen, Genene, Genise, Janese, Jannelle, Jenita, Jodean, Joelene, Jovonna, Keisa, Kennisha, Lanetta, Larayne, Laresa, Latishia, Lavette, Lenette, Marchell, Michelene, Nichele, Quanda, Raynette, Rolonda, Ronette, Sebrena, Shanette, Sharelle, Sharmon, Sharrell, Shawnice, Shelena, Shelita, Shenelle, Sherese, Sheria, Sherise, Sherrice, Shontay, Shonte, Shunda, Stephanee, Syretta, Tahnee, Towanna, Toyia, Tresha, Tyronda, Tywanda, Tywanna, Waynette, Yalonda, Yulanda, Arlicia, Charlayne, Charmel, Charnette, Chauntelle, Cherrell, Chondra, Conswella, Coreena, Danene, Darcelle, Dauna, Daune, Davene, Dawanda, Dawnell, Dawnette, Dawnita, Delbra, Delonda, Deneise, Diahann, Doylene, Dwana, Dwanda, Flecia, Janeal, Jawanda, Jodeen, Jolean, Jowanna, Julane, Kennesha, Kishia, Korene, Ladene, Larenda, Levette, Lynita, Mardee, Marshelle, Marvette, Mashell, Meshelle, Patrece, Phylicia, Rashawna, Rayshell, Rejeana, Renell, Ronique, Shamaine, Shanece, Shaneen, Shantay, Sharea, Sharnette, Shauntelle, Shawnell, Shelene, Shellene, Sherae, Sherisse, Shonta, Shundra, Takeia, Tineka, Tomisha, Yalanda, Ylonda, Yolander, Yvonda, Cherene, Chermaine, Darenda, Sharmain, Taronda, Tiwanda, Aronda, Charmagne, Charmon, Chauna, Chereese, Cheris, Cherrise, Chivonne, Contrina, Danyetta, Darcella, Deanette, Deneane, Denene, Donique, Durenda, Eleshia, Geanine, Gelene, Glenisha, Jalaine, Jalonda, Jameeka, Jillayne, Jolayne, Jolleen, Jowanda, Kevona, Lajeana, Leshea, Lonnette, Marchele, Marshea, Melonee, Patrese, Ranette, Renise, Ricquel, Rocquel, Roxene, Saysha, Scharlene, Shalaine, Shaletha, Shantale, Sharonna, Shaunita, Shawnae, Shawnique, Shawntina, Shawnya, Shenay, Shevelle, Shonette, Tashonna, Tawyna, Trenace, Trenita, Ulonda, Waynetta, Yolandra
Brothers: Kevin, Brian, Sean, Keith, Darren, Derrick, Tyrone, Darnell, Delvin, Donell, Jarrell, Jerrell, Laron, Lashawn, Darcel, Dawayne, Demetric, Detrick, Devaughn, Donelle, Dwan, Gaylon, Jerel, Lavelle, Lydell, Rashard, Antwane, Antwine, Dawan, Daymond, Denard, Denell, Deonne, Derral, Dewain, Donyell, Durwin, Dushawn, Gayland, Gerrell, Jawuan, Jayshaun, Jemel, Jermal, Kenard, Lenell, Lonnell, Raynell, Rondale, Shadrick, Sherard, Shermaine, Aundray, Cleavon, Darrelle, Deldrick, Delshawn, Donye, Dornell, Duayne, Janeil, Jermie, Ladell, Lanard, Lavance, Levelle, Levonne, Mandrell, Shawndale, Tryone, Dannis, Jarmel, Lavert, Dannell, Deddrick, Denario, Dorell, Dshaun, Dywane, Glendel, Lekeith, Rishawn, Roshard
Names like Dwayne
Names whose popularity has moved with Dwayne's over the last 50 years.
