Boy Name
Duff
Duff means “Dark”. It is used as a boy's name across several naming traditions, and it is rare in the United States today — outside the SSA top 1,000.
Origin and meaning: English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0). Popularity: US Social Security Administration.
Duff — a boy name — is an uncommon, standout choice. Its meaning, "Dark", anchors the name in something deeper than sound alone. If Duffy is on your shortlist, Duff belongs in the same conversation.
Duff meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Dark
Origin: Multiple naming traditions are associated with this name.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Duff as D·U·F·F, with 4 letters and a boy usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Duff is an uncommon, standout choice in the Rare tier.
Duff variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Duffa, Duffe, Duffy.
- Nicknames: Duff works as its own nickname.
- Middle names: Pair Duff with a middle name that balances its short sound; start with the Duff middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Duffy, Dov, Davy, Dava, Davie — full picks on the sibling names for Duff guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Duff? Browse our names like Duff guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Duff
What does the name Duff mean?
Duff means "Dark". The meaning is recorded in English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0), and in US records Duff is used as a boy name.
What is the origin of Duff?
The exact origin of Duff is debated, but it has been used across multiple naming traditions.
How do you pronounce Duff?
Duff has 4 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Duff a boy's or girl's name?
Duff is primarily used as a boy's name in US records.
How popular is Duff in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Duff sits in the Rare tier — an uncommon, standout choice.
What names are similar to Duff?
Names that share Duff's sound and style include Duffy, Dov, Davy, Dava, Davie.
What middle names pair well with Duff?
Good middle-name fits for Duff pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Duff is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Duff is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Duff?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Duff share its rhythm without rhyming — Duffy, Dov, Davy all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.