Duke

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ORIGIN AND HISTORY

The name Duke comes from the title “Duke.” Dukes were the highest ranking nobles below the King and Queen, and controlled a “Dukedom,” also known as a duchy. The title comes from the Latin phrase “Dux Bellorum.”^[1] “Dux” comes from the Latin verb “ducere,” which means “to lead.” ^[1]

The name Duke was used as a surname for those in a Duke’s family. ^[1]

Duke may also be a shortened form of other names, such as Marmaduke.

POPULARITY

Duke is a fairly uncommon first name. It last appeared on the top 1000 boys’ names in 1971, when it ranked at number 947. The highest recorded rank was 718 in 1956. ^[1]

Duke is a very common surname in the United States, ranking at number 868, according to whitepages.com. Most people with the last name Duke are to be found in Texas, followed by Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia.^[1]

FACTS

• John Wayne was nicknamed “The Duke.”
• The City of Albuquerque, NM, is nicknamed “Duke City” because it was named after the Duke of Alburquerque, Viceroy Francisco Fernandez de la Cueva. ^[1]
• The phrase “Put up your dukes” is a slang way to challenge someone to a fight. Here, the word “dukes” refers to the opponents’ fists. Another related slang phrase is to “duke it out,” which means to fight. ^[1]
• Daisy Dukes: a name for very short and tight cut-off jean shorts. The name comes from the character Daisy Duke from The Dukes of Hazzard television show. ^[1]

NAMESAKES

• Duke University: Durham, North Carolina
• Duke Energy Corporation
• Duke Manufacturing
• Duke City Marathon: Albuquerque, NM
• The Dukes of Hazzard: television show, 1979-1985
• The Dukes of Hazzard: 2005 film starring Jessica Simpson.

FAMOUS PERSONS

• Duke Ellington: jazz musician (born 1899)
• Duke Snider: baseball player
• Duke Kenneth Fluent: child of actress Justine Bateman
• George Duke: musician
• Patty Duke: actress
• Robin Duke: comedian
• Charles Duke: astronaut
• Ken Duke: professional golfer
• Martin Duke: baseball player
• Wesley Duke: football player

NOTES

OTHER DUKE'S

Duke Abor, Duke Abrahms, Duke Abrey, Duke Ackerman, Duke Addiss, Duke Adkins, Duke Adleman, Duke Adler, Duke Adu-gyamfi, Duke Ahn, Duke Aipa, Duke Ajemian, Duke Alan, Duke Alboro, Duke Aldridge, Duke Alegre, Duke Alenbaugh, Duke Alfredo, Duke Allen, Duke Allman, Duke Almaraz, Duke Almon, Duke Alquiza, Duke Alspaw, Duke Altered, Duke Altman, Duke Alvarez, Duke Always, Duke Amoakuh, Duke Amos, Duke Amponsah, Duke Anagho, Duke Andaya, Duke Anderson, Duke Aaron, Duke Achampong, Duke Acton, Duke Adam, Duke Adams, Duke Adu, Duke Ahmed, Duke Ahrens, Duke Alexander, Duke Alford, Duke Alloh, Duke Alston, Duke Amaniampong, Duke Amerson, Duke Amir, Duke Alvey, More results

Author: Sarena Emily Levinson