By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 755 pages
of 755
Irish
"son of Draighnean"
Brennan alternative.
Scottish
"ridge"
At one time associated with the fictional detective Bulldog Drummond, this formal surname name does boast the cute nickname Drum.
French
"dear one, sweetheart"
Rhythmic and energetic, Drury is of French origin, with the wonderful meaning of "dear one, sweetheart."
Drewry is an uncommon masculine name with historic roots as an Old English surname, derived from the Norman personal name 'Drogo' or 'Dreux,' which was introduced to England after the Norman…
Welsh
"sad, tumult"
The Welsh form of Tristan, and the name of a counselor to King Arthur.
Medieval English variation of Tristan, “noise or sorrowful"
This version of Tristan, known to English Lit students from the novel Tristram Shandy , is rarely used in this country, but, though its similarity to the popular Tristan could prove confusing, still…
Irish place-name
With Galway and Ireland in play as names (not to mention Shannon and Kerry), there's no reason this one can't work, too.
Duffie is a masculine name with Scottish and Irish Gaelic origins. It derives from the Gaelic surname 'Dubhshith' or 'Dubhthaigh,' meaning 'dark peace' or 'dark one.' The name evolved from a clan…
Duffey is a masculine name with Irish and Scottish Gaelic origins. It derives from the surname Ó Dubhthaigh or MacDhuibhshíthe, meaning 'descendant of the dark one' or 'son of the black man of…
"dark"
This familiar Irish surname, best known as the name of the mononamed Welsh female singer, is extremely rare as a first name in the US but could make an original Irish choice.
"swarthy"
Dugan is an open, friendly, and cheery Irish surname that would be suited to a dark-haired boy.
Douggan is a masculine name that appears to be a variant spelling of Dugan or Duggan, which originated as an Irish surname derived from 'Ó Dubhagáin,' meaning 'descendant of Dubhagán' (the dark or…
Duggan is a masculine name of Irish and Gaelic origin, derived from the surname 'Ó Dubhagáin,' meaning 'descendant of Dubhagán.' The name Dubhagán comes from 'dubh,' meaning 'dark' or 'black,' likely…
Doogan is a rare masculine name with Irish and Scottish Gaelic origins. It likely developed as an anglicized form of the Gaelic surname Ó Dubháin, meaning 'descendant of Dubhán' (where Dubhán means…
Dougan is a masculine name with Scottish and Irish Gaelic origins. It derives from the Gaelic surname Ó Dubhagáin, meaning 'descendant of Dubhagán,' with 'dubh' meaning 'dark' or 'black,' possibly…
"of the little farm"
The name of the great French novelist, author of the timeless The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers , would make a surprising middle name choice.
"castle headland"
Clear and strong, if a little heavy.
Scottish place-name
A city and river in Scotland; this is upbeat and cheery, but doesn't seem that appropriate as a name.
"brown hill homestead"
Attractive placename/surname with a somewhat aristocratic feel.
English
"dark stone"
A two-syllable surname feel puts this name of an important English saint in the running -- though it could sound like a confused cross between Duncan and Dustin.
