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Dustin

♂ Boy

Pronounced DUS-tin /ˈdʌs.tɪn/High

Meaning: From the Old Norse name Thurston or the Old English surname Dustin, possibly from the Norse Thor (the god) and stein (stone), meaning 'Thor's stone'; or from Old English dun (hill) with a suffix meaning 'settlement'Medium

In 30 seconds: Dustin is a rugged, mid-century American name with Norse heritage. Best known through Oscar-winning actor Dustin Hoffman, it has a casual Midwestern toughness that makes it a dependable, down-to-earth classic.
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Origin MediumOld Norse, Old English
MeaningFrom the Old Norse name Thurston or the Old English surname Dustin, possibly from the Norse Thor (the god) and stein (stone), meaning 'Thor's stone'; or from Old English dun (hill) with a suffix meaning 'settlement'
U.S. rank (2025)#729 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births365 boys (0.02% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1985
Total births (all-time)≈ 208,337

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 198519162025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Dustin is an English surname of debated Norse or Old English origin. It may derive from the Norse Thurston (Thor's stone) or from an Old English place name. As a given name it became popular in the United States in the mid-20th century.

Dustin peaked in the United States in the 1970s and 1980s, driven by the fame of actor Dustin Hoffman. It has settled into classic status with a worn, comfortable feel that appeals to parents who want a familiar, low-pretension name.

Did you know? Dustin Hoffman's mother reportedly chose the name after Western actor Dustin Farnum, one of the first stars of Hollywood Westerns. This chain — Norse origins, a silent-film cowboy, a method-acting legend — makes Dustin one of the more unexpectedly complex name genealogies in American pop culture.
Overall data confidence 75%
Behind the Name — Dustin — etymology and usageU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

DustanDuston

Nicknames

DustyDuss

Famous Bearers

  • ★Dustin Hoffman (1937–present)
    American actor, two-time Academy Award winner for Kramer vs. Kramer and Rain Man.

If you like Dustin…

Dalton— shares the rugged Old English place-name surname feel and the same cowboy-adjacent energy
Devin— fellow mid-century American name with Celtic roots and the same casual, approachable feel
Justin— parallel -ustin ending name in the same mid-century American masculine naming family
Brayden

Frequently Asked

What does the name Dustin mean?

Dustin's exact meaning is debated, but it likely derives from Old Norse Thurston, meaning 'Thor's stone.' It may also have Old English place-name roots.

How do you pronounce Dustin?

Dustin is pronounced DUS-tin /ˈdʌs.tɪn/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Dustin an old-fashioned name?

Dustin peaked in the 1970s–80s and has a warm vintage quality. It is a comfortable, unfussy classic with enduring appeal.

Who made the name Dustin famous?

Actor Dustin Hoffman, named after Western star Dustin Farnum, is the name's most prominent bearer and helped popularize it in the late 20th century.