Duff
From the Irish and Scottish Gaelic surname, from dubh (“dark”).
Every Duff since 1880 — 441 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Duff
Duff is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1880, 441 American babies have been named Duff. Its peak came in 1954, when 34 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1950s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Duff stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Duff year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | 6 | #11,463 |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | 11 | #2,945 |
| 1965 | 8 | #3,050 |
| 1960 | 15 | #2,155 |
| 1955 | 23 | #1,625 |
| 1950 | 8 | #2,837 |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | 6 | #3,357 |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | 5 | #4,473 |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | 5 | #945 |
Famous people named Duff
- Duff McKagan Musician · b. 1964
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Duff mean?
From the Irish and Scottish Gaelic surname, from dubh (“dark”).
How popular is the name Duff in 2025?
Duff did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Duff?
441 babies have been named Duff in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Duff most popular?
Duff peaked in 1954, when 34 newborns received the name.
Is Duff a boy or girl name?
Duff is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Duff rising or falling?
Duff has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Duff?
Well-known people named Duff include Duff McKagan (musician).