What does Douglas mean?

Douglas is a Scottish Gaelic name meaning 'dark stream' or 'black water'.

How do you pronounce Douglas?

It is typically pronounced as DUG-luss (/ˈdʌɡləs/).

Is Douglas a boy or girl name?

Douglas is traditionally and almost exclusively used as a masculine name.

Is Douglas a common name in Scotland?

Yes, it has a long history in Scotland as both a prominent surname and a classic given name.

Name meaning & originDouglas

/DUG-luss/

Scottish GaelicBoy

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Douglas is a Scottish Gaelic boy's name pronounced /DUG-luss/. A historic name referring to the dark blue waters of a stream.

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Meaning of Douglas

A historic name referring to the dark blue waters of a stream.

The name Douglas originates from the Scottish Gaelic elements 'dubh', meaning dark or black, and 'ghlas', meaning stream or river. It was originally a Scottish surname and a territorial designation for the powerful Clan Douglas, whose lands were located in Lanarkshire along the Douglas Water.

Origin: Scottish Gaelic
Pronunciation: /DUG-luss/

Cultural background

While primarily used as a masculine given name throughout the English-speaking world today, it remains deeply rooted in Scottish heritage and aristocratic history.

Variations & nicknames

Dougie
Doug
Dughlas
Douglasio
Dougla

Famous people named Douglas

Well-known namesakes — celebrities, historical figures and characters.

Douglas Adams
Author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Literature · 1952–2001
Douglas MacArthur
Five-star general who commanded the Southwest Pacific in WWII
Military · 1880–1964
Douglas Fairbanks
Silent film star known for swashbuckling roles
Film · 1883–1939
Douglas Hyde
The first President of Ireland
Politics · 1860–1949
Douglas Luiz
Professional footballer for Brazil and Juventus
Sport · 1998–present

Frequently asked about Douglas

What does Douglas mean?: Douglas is a Scottish Gaelic name meaning 'dark stream' or 'black water'.
How do you pronounce Douglas?: It is typically pronounced as DUG-luss (/ˈdʌɡləs/).
Is Douglas a boy or girl name?: Douglas is traditionally and almost exclusively used as a masculine name.
Is Douglas a common name in Scotland?: Yes, it has a long history in Scotland as both a prominent surname and a classic given name.

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