Du

Du is an extremely rare feminine given name in English-speaking contexts, though it functions more commonly as a surname of Chinese, Vietnamese, or French origin. As a Chinese surname (杜), it ranks among the common family names and means "elm tree." In Vietnamese contexts, the surname Dư has distinct cultural meanings. The brevity of Du as a given name gives it a minimalist, modern quality that might appeal to parents seeking extreme simplicity. Its pronunciation is straightforward but could invite questions due to its uncommon nature as a first name. In Western contexts, Du might be used as a nickname or short form for longer names like Duane or duplicity-related names, though its standalone usage as a feminine name remains exceptionally uncommon.

Du is also given to boys.

Pronounced DOO.

As of October 2026, Du ranked #7606 for boys in US births in 1988 SSA, peaked at #5178 for boys in 1982.