Douglas is a masculine given name of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Scottish surname Douglas, which itself comes from the French place name Douai, where many Norman nobles settled after the Norman Conquest in 1066.
The name Douglas has several possible meanings. According to some sources, it means "dark river" or "black water," referencing theDouglas Water river that flows through the Scottish Lowlands. Others suggest that it could mean "from Douai," referring to the French town where many people with the surname Douglas trace their roots.
Throughout history, the name Douglas has been associated with several notable figures. One of the most famous was Archibald "The Grim" Douglas (1298-1330), a Scottish knight who fought against English rule during the Wars of Scottish Independence. His son, William Douglas, 1st Earl of Douglas (c. 1327-1353), was also a prominent figure in medieval Scotland.
The name Douglas has also been popular among royalty and nobility throughout history. King James V of Scotland had a illegitimate son named Douglas, and several members of the British royal family have held the title of Duke of Douglas.
Today, Douglas remains a popular given name around the world, particularly in English-speaking countries such as the United States and Canada. While it is often considered a Scottish name, it has been adopted by people from many different backgrounds and cultures.
The name Douglas has seen varying popularity over the years in the United States. In 1949, there were 6 babies born with the name Douglas. This number doubled to 12 in 1969 before decreasing again to 8 in 1971. After a slight increase to 5 births in 1979, the popularity of the name decreased further to just 5 births in 1982. However, it recovered somewhat with 6 births in 1986, and then went back down to 5 births in 1989. Overall, between 1949 and 1989, a total of 47 babies were born with the name Douglas in the United States.