Baby Boy Names That Begin With D

Popular, Classic, & Trendy Male Name Choices

Mar 7, 2008 Naomi Rockler-Gladen

Dylan? Daniel? Dominic? Drake? Check out these trendy, classic, and unique little boy names that begin with the letter D.

If you're looking for a baby boy name that begins with D, you'll have lots of choices. According to the U.S. Social Security Baby Name index, some of the most popular D names, like David and Daniel, have topped the baby name charts for many years. Other D names, like Dylan and Devin, have only become popular in recent years.

Here are some popular, classic, and unusual male names that begin with the letter D.

Popular & Trendy Baby Boy Names That Start With D

• Daniel. Ranked at #6 in 2006, Daniel pretty much never goes out of style. It's been in the U.S. top 20 since 1952! One of the most widely used Biblical names, Daniel means "my judge is God."
• David. Like Daniel, David is a Biblical name with wildly enduring popularity. Currently ranked at #10, David is not as popular as it was during the Baby Boom (in 1960, it was #1). But if it seems to you that there's a lot of Davids around, there are-- the name has been in the top 20 since 1928! David has a great meaning-- "beloved." For a more contemporary twist, try Davis.
• Dylan. Dylan popped onto the scenes in the 1990s, along with the 90210 character with this name, and it's currently ranked at #26. Fortunately, the name is more than the moniker of the guy who broke Brenda's heart, so fans of Bob Dylan and Dylan Thomas may be using this name for a long time. Dylan comes from a Welsh expression that means "son of the sea."
• Diego. Spanish names are hot, and Diego is rising the charts quickly. In 2006, it was ranked at #56. A little boy with this name will be thrilled to have the same name as Nickelodeon's supercool animal rescuer from Go Diego, Go! Surprisingly, Diego is derived from the same Latin word as Jacob, which means "one who grasps by the heel."
• Dominic. Dominic's newly in vogue, and perhaps it will climb its way into trendiness soon. In 2006, it was ranked #85. Dominic comes from a Latin expression that means "Lord."
• Devin. Devin may be a fading trend-- in 2006, it had fallen to #100. But it's a nice alternative to Dylan with a similar sound. The alternate spelling Devon was ranked at #197. The name probably originated from that of an ancient English tribe.
• Damian. Although only ranked at #136, Damian is climbing the chart, and the alternate spelling Damien was up to #196. Damian comes from a Greek name that means "tamer." A less popular variation of the name is Damon.
• Dakota. Although it's fallen to #172, Western place names are still very trendy for both boys and girls. Dakota is a Native American name that means "ally."

Classic Baby Boy Names That Start With D

• Dennis. Although it screams Baby Boom, Dennis is still a substantial choice with an amiable nickname- Denny. Dennis comes from a Greek place name.
• Douglas. There just aren't that many Dougs anymore, but like Dennis, this name is still quite substantial without being trendy. Douglas is from a Gaelic name that means "dark river."
• Dwayne & Dwight. These names were more common among fellas with crew cuts in 1963 than they are today, but if you're looking for something short and classic, brush off one of these old favorites. Dwayne is from a Gaelic name that means "shadowy," and Dwight has the same origin as Douglas.
• Darren & Darrell. Darren is heavily associated with Bewitched-- except that most people having kids these days weren't around when that show was on. Darren is from a Gaelic expression that means "great," and Darrell comes from a Norman French name. Both names are occasionally used for girls, often as Daryn and Daryl. Derek, a popular name during the 1970s, remains fairly common.

Unusual Baby Boy Names That Start With D

• Drake. Parents are slowly catching on to this short and funky name, which means "dragon."
• Dorian. Oscar Wilde's dreary The Picture of Dorian Gray hasn't done this name any favors-- but it's a great alternative to more common D names. In Greek, the Dor- prefix means "gift."
• Dustin. Although it sounds trendy, Dustin's a falling star from the 1970s and 1980s. Dustin is an Old Norse name that means "Thor's stone."
• Dawson, Donovan, & Dalton. The last-name-turned-first-name trend is big, but for some reason, the most popular names in the craze are baby boy names that begin with C. So if you like the trend but want a less common name, give these D names a try.
• Darius. As the name of several Persian kings, Darius has a regal history. Its Greek meaning may turn some parents off-- it means "he who holds on well to his possessions."
• Dexter. An old-fashioned name that's not used much anymore, Dexter has a great meaning in Latin-- "fortunate."
• Dean & Dale. If you're looking for something short and strong, consider these neglected monikers. Both come from Old English expressions that mean "valley" or 'valley dweller."

See also:

Baby Boy Names that Begin With A

Baby Boy Names That Begin With B

The copyright of the article Baby Boy Names That Begin With D in Pregnancy & Childbirth is owned by Naomi Rockler-Gladen. Permission to republish Baby Boy Names That Begin With D in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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