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Dwayne
♂ Boy
Pronounced DWAYN /dweɪn/Low
Meaning: Little dark one; dark-coloredLow
In 30 seconds: Dwayne is an Anglicization of the Irish Dubhán meaning little dark one, from the Irish dubh (dark, black). A classic American name associated with Dwayne The Rock Johnson.
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MeaningLittle dark one; dark-colored
U.S. rank (2025)#1565 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births109 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1961
Total births (all-time)≈ 76,730
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
Dwayne is an anglicized form of Irish Dubhán meaning little dark one from dubh (black/dark). It has been used as a given name in English-speaking countries.
Dwayne is a classic American name particularly associated with African American communities.
Did you know? Dwayne The Rock Johnson is one of the most successful entertainers in the world — a wrestling icon who became Hollywood's highest-paid actor. His first name carries genuine Irish Gaelic heritage.
Overall data confidence 90%
Variations
DuaneDwane
Nicknames
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Famous Bearers
- ★Dwayne Johnson (b. 1972)American actor and former WWE wrestler known as The Rock, one of the world's highest-grossing film stars
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Frequently Asked
What does Dwayne mean?
Little dark one; dark-colored
How do you pronounce Dwayne?
Dwayne is pronounced DWAYN.
What is the origin of Dwayne?
Dwayne comes from Irish Gaelic, English.
What names are similar to Dwayne?
Similar names include devin, jerome, leroy.