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Home › Baby Names Directory › Douglass

Douglass

♂ Boy

Pronounced DUG-lus /ˈdʌɡ.ləs/High

Meaning: A spelling of Douglas — from the Scottish Gaelic dubh glas, 'dark stream/river' (dubh, 'dark', + glas, 'stream/blue-green'); a surname; borne by abolitionist Frederick Douglass; we note the abolitionistLow

In 30 seconds: From the dark stream/river: Douglass spells Douglas. Crisp, classic, and warm (said 'DUG-lus'). We note the abolitionist.
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Origin LowScottish, Gaelic
MeaningA spelling of Douglas — from the Scottish Gaelic dubh glas, 'dark stream/river' (dubh, 'dark', + glas, 'stream/blue-green'); a surname; borne by abolitionist Frederick Douglass; we note the abolitionist
U.S. rank (2024)#10135 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births7 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1970
Total births (all-time)≈ 5,769

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 197018832024

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Douglass is a spelling of Douglas — from the Scottish Gaelic dubh glas, 'dark stream/river' (dubh, 'dark', + glas, 'stream/blue-green'); a surname; borne by abolitionist Frederick Douglass (we note the abolitionist). A crisp, classic name (said 'DUG-lus').

In the U.S. it appears in African American families (honoring Frederick Douglass). Rare in this spelling, the-dark-stream at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Douglas is 'the dark stream/river' in Scottish Gaelic (dubh glas) — Douglass is a spelling, borne by abolitionist Frederick Douglass — crisp and classic (we note the abolitionist; said 'DUG-lus').
Overall data confidence 36%
References — Douglas — Scottish Gaelic etymology

Variations

DouglasDouglazDouglass

Nicknames

Doug

Famous Bearers

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If you like Douglass…

Douglas— the standard spelling
Fraser— a companion Scottish surname-name
Darrow— the same surname-name feel
Lennox— the same surname-name feel
Duncan— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Douglass

By themesurname-namescottishgaelic
By meaningSea / Water

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Douglass mean?

Douglass spells Douglas — Scottish Gaelic 'dark stream/river' (dubh glas); a surname, borne by Frederick Douglass. We note the abolitionist.

How do you pronounce Douglass?

It's said DUG-lus /ˈdʌɡ.ləs/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Douglass a boy or girl name?

Douglass is a boy's name.

How popular is Douglass?

Douglass is a very rare spelling in the U.S.

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