All about the name

Dwayne

Female

« Dwayne is an African-origin name meaning 'dark-skinned' or 'born of darkness', gaining popularity in the U.S. due to figures like actor and wrestler Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson. »

#12147 since 1900

Meaning, origin, history

Dwayne is a name of African origin, meaning "dark-skinned" or "dark-colored". It is derived from the West African name Dwaine, which is composed of two elements: 'dwa', meaning "dark", and '-aine', a suffix meaning "born of". Therefore, Dwayne translates to "born of darkness". The name has gained popularity in the United States due to its association with several prominent figures. One notable figure is Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, a famous actor and wrestler who was born in California but has Samoan ancestry. His successful career in entertainment has contributed to the rise in popularity of the name Dwayne among parents. Historically, the name Dwayne has been used primarily by African Americans and other people of African descent. However, its usage has expanded in recent decades due to its association with popular culture and figures like The Rock. Today, Dwayne is considered a unisex name but is more commonly used for boys. In terms of statistics, the Social Security Administration in the United States reports that the peak popularity of the name Dwayne was in 1970 when it ranked at number 264 among baby boy names. Since then, its usage has declined steadily, ranking at number 879 in 2020. Overall, Dwayne is a unique and powerful name with African origins that carries a strong meaning related to darkness or darkness of skin color. Its popularity has been influenced by prominent figures such as Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, contributing to its broader usage among parents today.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Dwayne since 1880

Total births
462
Total since 1880
Peak year
1960
21 births
in 1991
7
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
0%
vs previous 5 years