Duncan brings to mind basketballs and doughnuts – but also Scotland and Shakespeare.Thanks to Whitney for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.
Duncan: Way Back
Kings aplenty have answered to this name, as early as the 600s. An eighth century Saint Dúnchad might sometimes be recorded as Duncan, too.
And then there’s King Donnchadh. He reigned in the eleventh century. His successor? Macbeth, in 1040. That’s where fiction kicks in. Donnchadh wasn’t elderly, and he died in battle. Contemporary accounts paint Macbeth as a reasonable ruler. There’s no treachery mentioned.
Until Shakespeare.
Duncan: Three Witches
In Macbeth, the prophecies of three witches set the play in motion. Their predictions unleash Macbeth’s political ambitions, and those of his wife. Murder and madness follow, though order is restored by the end.
Shakespeare wasn’t the first to impose a twisted tale on a handful of historical figures. Holinshed’s Chronicles, first published in 1577, detailed British history over many a century. The Bard was borrowing from the not-quite-historical account.
The Chronicles and the playwright crafted the play we know so well: a skilled, but overly ambitious, lieutenant, egged on by his equally ambitious wife and a trio of cackling witches, commits regicide and frames the king’s servants. Of course, the name Duncan belongs to the victim, not the villain.
Duncan: Warrior
It comes from elements meaning brown – think dun, as in dark – and warrior or battle.
There’s a later king of Scotland by the name, and it’s fairly common as a surname, too. It’s ranked in the US Top 1000 every almost year since 1880, though it’s rarely made the Top 500.
All of this makes the name a fitting choice for a Highlander character. The fantasy action-adventure about an immortal warrior has covered multiple movies and television series, plus novels and comic books. The original Highlander is Connor; Duncan first takes over for him in the first 1990s television series.
Duncan: 20th Century
Over the last century or so, a variety of other images attached to the name.
The yo-yo has existed since at least a few centuries BC, but Donald Duncan made it a staple of American childhood beginning in the 1930s. They’re still manufactured under the brand name, nearly a century later.
When traveling salesman Duncan Hines couldn’t get a decent meal on the road, he authored one of the first travel guides to help others do just that. Eventually, the cake mixes that bore his name became far more famous, and are still sold in nearly every American grocery store today.
You might also think of:
- A character in Frank Herbert’s 1965 Dune, who goes on to appear in all six of the Dune novels.
- Singer-songwriter Duncan Sheik.
- A character from A Series of Unfortunate Events, brother to Isadora. (Which makes it a reference to the legendary twentieth century dancer, Isadora Duncan.)
- David Bowie gave this name to his son in 1971 – though he was known as Zowie for years.
- The on-again, off-again boyfriend on Veronica Mars, with drama and teenage heartache aplenty.
As for Dunkin’ Donuts and thoughts of basketball, well, that’s from the German dunken – to dip. There’s no relation between the name and the verb, but the sound is the same.
And then came 1997, when the first overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft was Tim Duncan. He went on to play 19 seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, becoming a two-time NBA MVP in the process, along with arms full of other honors and awards.
Duncan: By the Numbers
The name peaked in the late 1990s, at a moment it was associated with the hoop star and the indie rocker. Names like Dylan and Devin ranked in the Top 100 at the time, making it a similar-but-different choice.
Overall, the name feels upbeat and accessible, but without sacrificing gravitas. After all, it’s as literary as it is athletic, as tied to history as it is to the humble yo-yo.
If you’re looking for names instantly recognized but seldom heard, easily spelled and pronounced, then this might belong on your list.
What do you think of Duncan?
This post was published originally on August 1, 2012. After substantial revision, it was re-posted on February 13, 2019.
I love this name. I don’t mind the ‘dunkin’ thing because a boy might not mind the idea of dunking a basketball, for instance. It’s not really a bad association. There aren’t any Dunkin Donuts here, though I love that place! But I love the name Duncan for all the Scottish associations. I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone with this name, so when you say recognizable, absolutely, people will know how to spell it, but hardly common. fabulous. I don’t see it as clunky or frumpy, but rather cool, actually. Probably because I picture the guy from the 90s tv show Highlander.
I’m a big fan of Duncan – my older son’s name, for all the reasons stated in today’s post. It wears so well and the only other Duncan he’s met is an elderly man that’s an acquaintance of his grandfathers. We live in NY with Dunkin Donuts EVERYWHERE and seldom get comments, though there have been two or three. I’m torn between advocating for Duncan as so wonderful and wearable because I don’t want to share it! Lol. I don’t know why it’s not used more but I’m also so glad it’s not common! And, yes, it was done before. I had requested it after my son was born in 2010. Glad to see it getting more attention 🙂
I really don’t understand why Duncan continues to fall while other 2-syllable-ends-in-N British Isles names (Nolan, Declan, Aidan, etc.) Continue to skyrocket in popularity. Perhaps Duncan sounds musty or heavy to other ears? I like him.
For me, this one is the male equivalent of frumpy.
I love Duncan. There are several from my family tree. Unfortunately, all the husband hears is Dunkin’ Donuts.
found it!!!, but it hasnt been fully restored yet https://appellationmountain.net/2011/05/05/baby-name-of-the-day-duncan/
I knew I remembered reading about Duncan before too!
You’re right! Funny, usually I get a sense of deja vu when I begin to re-cover a name, but this time I was completely oblivious. Restoring Duncan the First now …
Im pretty sure you did Duncan already… May 2011 I think… does this officially make me a stalker?
I do love him so much! I believe I even made a comment about Duncan’s Toy Chest from Home Alone 2
There is also the lovely song “Duncan” by Paul Simon – that was my first thought, though the song’s narrator’s name is actually Lincoln Duncan.
I may be showing my age with this reference, but Duncan was also the name of one of the main characters on the teen drama, Veronica Mars. And he was the first thing I thought of when I saw today’s NOTD.
I think Duncan is a great underused option. However the similarity to Dunkin’ Donuts gives me pause.
Duncan on Veronica Mars was my first thought too, well him and the Scottish Play. I’ve always liked Duncan (and Malcolm!)
I adore Duncan although he feels a little clunky, another bearer of the name is Duncan the Grey Warden Commander from the Dragon Age series and Major Duncan Heyward from The Last of the Mohicans. Is it just me or is there something a little commanding about this name? 🙂