Dow

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Dow

Pronounced DOW /ˈdaʊ/Medium

Meaning: Dow is a short surname-name of Scottish and Irish roots. In Scotland it often derives from the Gaelic dubh, 'black' or 'dark', a descriptive byname for dark hair or complexion; in Ireland it can be a shortened form of surnames like O'Duibh from the same root. Used as a first name, Dow carries that plain, sturdy 'dark' meaning in a single crisp syllable.Low

In 30 seconds: Dow is a short Scottish and Irish surname-name from a Gaelic word for 'black' or 'dark', used for American boys last century (say DOW).

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Origin LowScottish, Irish

MeaningDow is a short surname-name of Scottish and Irish roots. In Scotland it often derives from the Gaelic dubh, 'black' or 'dark', a descriptive byname for dark hair or complexion; in Ireland it can be a shortened form of surnames like O'Duibh from the same root. Used as a first name, Dow carries that plain, sturdy 'dark' meaning in a single crisp syllable.

U.S. rank (2015)#12569 ↘ Falling

2015 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1962

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,091

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Dow began as a Scottish and Irish surname, frequently from Gaelic dubh, 'black' or 'dark', a byname for someone dark-haired. Like many terse surnames it was handed on as a first name in American families, sometimes honouring a mother's maiden name. Its one-syllable strength gave it a plain, no-nonsense appeal.

Dow was always a scattering, drawing only a couple dozen boys a year even at its high around the mid-twentieth century. A boy named Dow then belongs to a grandfather's generation now. It reads as an old, compact surname-name rather than a nursery favourite, and it has not come back into fashion.

Did you know? Dow often traces to the Gaelic dubh, 'black', the same root behind names like Dow, Duff and Dove.

Overall data confidence 50%

References - Dow — Scottish/Irish surname-name; Gaelic dubh 'black/dark'

Variations

DoweDouDowdDuff

Nicknames

Dow

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If you like Dow…

Boyd— a like Scottish surname-name from a 'dark/yellow' root

Duff— a like Gaelic surname-name from the same 'dark' root

Dell— another short vintage surname-name

Roe— a terse one-syllable surname-name of the era

Explore names like Dow

By themevintage surname-name scottish

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Dow mean?

It is a Scottish and Irish surname-name, often from Gaelic dubh, 'black' or 'dark'.

How do you pronounce Dow?

It's said DOW /ˈdaʊ/, one syllable, rhyming with 'now'.

Is Dow a boy or girl name?

Dow is used as a boy's name.

Is Dow a popular name?

No, it has always been rare as a first name, a surname-name seen in small numbers last century.