Douglas is a name of Scottish origin, derived from the place name "Dubhglas" which means "dark stream". The name is composed of two elements: "dubh", meaning dark or black in Scottish Gaelic, and "glas", meaning stream or waterway.
The name Douglas has a long history dating back to the Middle Ages. It was first used as a surname before becoming popular as a given name. Some notable figures with the surname Douglas include William Douglas, a Scottish knight who fought alongside Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, and Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Angus, who played a significant role in the Wars of the Scottish Independence.
In literature, the name Douglas is perhaps best known for appearing in Sir Walter Scott's historical novel "The Bride of Lammermoor", published in 1819. The story follows the tragic love affair between Edgar Douglas and Lucy Ashton, set against the backdrop of the Jacobite rebellions.
Today, Douglas remains a popular choice as both a first name and surname. While it has been more commonly used for boys historically, there have been instances where it has been given to girls as well. Overall, the name Douglas carries with it a sense of strength, history, and Scottish heritage.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Douglas has seen varied popularity over several decades in the United States.
In the early to mid-20th century, from 1934 to 1959, there was an average of approximately 8 births per year with the name Douglas. The highest number of births during this period occurred in 1959 with 14 newborns named Douglas.
From 1960 to 1970, there was a notable increase in popularity, with an average of about 12 births per year. The peak of this decade was reached in 1962 with 17 births, which was the highest number recorded in any single year in the dataset.
However, starting from 1974 onwards, the popularity of the name Douglas began to decline significantly. There were only a few births each year, with an average of approximately 6 births per year between 1974 and 1989. The lowest number of births during this period occurred in 1974 and 1983, both with just 6 newborns named Douglas.
Overall, from 1934 to 1989, there were a total of 300 births recorded for the name Douglas in the United States. This demonstrates that while the popularity of this name has fluctuated over time, it remains an enduring choice among parents throughout several decades.