75+ *Modern* Boy Names That Start with D

On the hunt for cute, but timeless boy names that start with the letter D for your new bundle of joy? This big list of full of choices from country to unique.

If you’re picking out a name for a baby boy, D is a great letter to start with, since it gives you a wide range of options to explore. This list rounds up modern favorites, popular classics, and a handful of rustic picks, so you can browse everything from trendy to traditional in one place. Read through and see which one sounds right for your son.

 

Modern Boy Names That Start with D

Looking for modern boy names that start with D? All the names in this section are sure to check off that box!

Damian

• Origin: Greek
• Pronunciation: DAY-mee-un · ˈdeɪmiən
• Meaning: to tame or subdue
• Popularity: #110 and falling (#108 → #110, 2024)

Dawson

• Origin: English (patronymic surname)
• Pronunciation: DAW-sun · ˈdɔːsən
• Meaning: son of Daw, a medieval pet form of David — effectively “son of David”
• Popularity: #139 and rising (#149 → #139, 2024)

Dutton

• Origin: English (place name/surname, two distinct origins)
• Pronunciation: DUT-un · ˈdʌtən
• Meaning: hill settlement (or, separately, ‘Dudda’s settlement’)
• Popularity: #736 and falling (#727 → #736, 2024)

Duncan

• Origin: Scottish Gaelic (Anglicized from Donnchadh)
• Pronunciation: DUN-kan · ˈdʌŋkən
• Meaning: brown + battle/chief (disputed second element)
• Popularity: #1,102 and falling (#930 → #1,102, 2024)

Denver

• Origin: Old English (place name/surname)
• Pronunciation: DEN-ver · ˈdɛnvər
• Meaning: uncertain: either ‘the Danes’ crossing’ or ‘ridge by the valley’ (two competing Old English derivations); not verifiably ‘green valley’
• Popularity: #486 and rising (#510 → #486, 2024)

Dax

• Origin: French (place name)
• Pronunciation: DAKS · ˈdæks
• Meaning: from the French town of Dax
• Popularity: #636 and falling (#559 → #636, 2024)

Popular Boy Names That Start with D

Next on the list, is some of the most popular boy names that start with D. Even though they are used often, they will never go out of style.

Daniel

• Origin: Hebrew
• Pronunciation: DAN-yul · ˈdænjəl
• Meaning: God is my judge
• Popularity: #16 and rising (#17 → #16, 2024)

David

• Origin: Hebrew
• Pronunciation: DAY-vid · ˈdeɪvɪd
• Meaning: beloved
• Popularity: #31 and falling (#27 → #31, 2024)

Dylan

• Origin: Welsh
• Pronunciation: DIL-un · ˈdɪlən
• Meaning: son of the sea
• Popularity: #28 and rising (#34 → #28, 2024)

Country Boy Names That Start with D

Would you rather give your little cowboy a more country name? These boy names starting with D are rustic, but still very charming.

Dakota

• Origin: Dakota (Siouan) language
• Pronunciation: duh-KOH-tah · dəˈkoʊtə
• Meaning: friend, ally
• Popularity: #328, holding steady (2024)

Dallas

• Origin: Scottish (place name and surname)
• Pronunciation: DAL-us · ˈdæləs
• Meaning: roughly “dwelling in the valley” (dale + house/abode)
• Popularity: #243 and rising (#252 → #243, 2024)

Dalton

• Origin: English (place name/surname)
• Pronunciation: DAWL-tun · ˈdɔːltən
• Meaning: valley settlement
• Popularity: #432 and rising (#513 → #432, 2024)

Decker

• Origin: German/English (occupational surname)
• Pronunciation: DEK-ur · ˈdɛkər
• Meaning: roofer or thatcher
• Popularity: #1,185 and falling (#1,155 → #1,185, 2024)

Denham

• Origin: Old English (place name/surname)
• Pronunciation: DEN-um · ˈdɛnəm
• Meaning: dweller at a farm or homestead in a valley
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Dierks

• Origin: Frisian/Low German (patronymic surname)
• Pronunciation: DEERKS · dɜːrks
• Meaning: son of Dirk
• Popularity: #5,703 and rising (#6,994 → #5,703, 2024)

Dixon

• Origin: English (surname, patronymic)
• Pronunciation: DIK-sun · ˈdɪksən
• Meaning: son of Dick (i.e., son of Richard)
• Popularity: #2,671 and rising (#2,906 → #2,671, 2024)

Duke

• Origin: English (title/vocabulary name, also occupational surname)
• Pronunciation: DOOK · ˈduːk
• Meaning: a leader or nobleman, from the title ‘duke’
• Popularity: #709 and falling (#683 → #709, 2024)

Dustin

• Origin: English (from Old Norse Þorsteinn, ‘Thor’s stone’, via a Norman surname)
• Pronunciation: DUS-tin · ˈdʌstɪn
• Meaning: probably ‘Thor’s stone’ (from Thorstein)
• Popularity: #685 and rising (#694 → #685, 2024)

Unique Boy Names That Start with D

If popular isn’t your style, check out our unique boy names that start with D.

Damon

• Origin: Ancient Greek
• Pronunciation: DAY-mun · ˈdeɪmən
• Meaning: to tame, subdue
• Popularity: #454 and falling (#425 → #454, 2024)

Dane

• Origin: English (ethnonym, ultimately Old Norse/Old English)
• Pronunciation: DAYN · ˈdeɪn
• Meaning: a Dane, person from Denmark
• Popularity: #880 and rising (#903 → #880, 2024)

Dash

• Origin: English (Anglo-Norman + Old English surname)
• Pronunciation: DASH · ˈdæʃ
• Meaning: surname for someone who lived near an ash tree
• Popularity: #967 and falling (#893 → #967, 2024)

Davis

• Origin: English (surname)
• Pronunciation: DAY-vis · ˈdeɪvɪs
• Meaning: patronymic surname meaning ‘son of David’
• Popularity: #645 and falling (#613 → #645, 2024)

Deke

• Origin: English (nickname, exact source unclear)
• Pronunciation: DEEK · diːk
• Popularity: #9,179 as of 2022 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Dunn

• Origin: Irish (Anglicized surname, Ó Duinn)
• Pronunciation: DUN · dʌn
• Meaning: descendant of Donn, ‘brown-haired’
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Davey

• Origin: Hebrew (via David)
• Pronunciation: DAY-vee · ˈdeɪvi
• Meaning: pet form of David, carrying David’s traditional meaning ‘beloved’
• Popularity: #3,527 and rising (#3,808 → #3,527, 2024)

Dayson

• Origin: English (surname, uncertain formation)
• Pronunciation: DAY-sun · ˈdeɪsən
• Meaning: unclear: possibly ‘son of Day’ (Day being a medieval short form of David), or a compound of Old English elements roughly meaning ‘day’s son’
• Popularity: #3,994 and rising (#4,913 → #3,994, 2024)

Deacon

• Origin: Greek (via English occupational surname)
• Pronunciation: DEE-kun · ˈdiːkən
• Meaning: messenger, servant (from the church office of deacon)
• Popularity: #550 and falling (#532 → #550, 2024)

Dierksen

• Origin: Frisian/Dutch (patronymic surname)
• Pronunciation: DEERK-sun · ˈdɜːrksən
• Meaning: son of Dierk
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Draper

• Origin: English (occupational surname)
• Pronunciation: DRAY-per · ˈdreɪpər
• Meaning: cloth seller or maker
• Popularity: #10,078 as of 2022 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Earthy Boy Names That Start with D

For the little one whose family loves nature, boho vibes, and the outdoors; the earthy names are just for you.

Dale

• Origin: English (surname)
• Pronunciation: DAYL · ˈdeɪl
• Meaning: topographic surname for someone who lived in a valley (dale)
• Popularity: #1,306 and rising (#1,414 → #1,306, 2024)

Devereaux

• Origin: Anglo-Norman French (surname/place name)
• Pronunciation: DEV-er-oh · ˈdɛvəroʊ
• Meaning: from Évreux, a city in Normandy, France (via Anglo-Norman ‘d’Evreux’)
• Popularity: #4,585 and rising (#5,297 → #4,585, 2024)

Douglas

• Origin: Scottish
• Pronunciation: DUG-lus · ˈdʌgləs
• Meaning: dark stream
• Popularity: #853 and falling (#744 → #853, 2024)

Dune

• Origin: English (nature/vocabulary word)
• Pronunciation: DOON · duːn
• Meaning: a hill or ridge of sand shaped by the wind
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Vintage Boy Names That Start with D

Lastly, the vintage boy names starting with d may be some of the best yet. It’s all of the charm with the classic touch.

Dean

• Origin: English (surname, with competing minor theories)
• Pronunciation: DEEN · ˈdiːn
• Meaning: one who lived in a valley (dale)
• Popularity: #142 and rising (#159 → #142, 2024)

Dell

• Origin: English (common word transferred to name use)
• Pronunciation: DEL · dɛl
• Meaning: small wooded valley
• Popularity: #7,861 and rising (#12,646 → #7,861, 2024)

Dempsey

• Origin: Irish (surname)
• Pronunciation: DEMP-see · ˈdɛmpsi
• Meaning: proud or arrogant (via an Irish surname/byname)
• Popularity: #2,833 and falling (#2,347 → #2,833, 2024)

Donald

• Origin: Scottish
• Pronunciation: DON-uld · ˈdɑːnəld
• Meaning: ruler of the world
• Popularity: #672 and falling (#658 → #672, 2024)

Doyle

• Origin: Irish
• Pronunciation: DOYL · ˈdɔɪl
• Meaning: descendant of the dark-haired foreigner
• Popularity: #7,345 and rising (#8,420 → #7,345, 2024)

Drew

• Origin: Anglo-Norman French / Germanic (also an Irish surname, frequently a short form of Andrew)
• Pronunciation: DROO · ˈdruː
• Meaning: strong, Manly
• Popularity: #542 and falling (#539 → #542, 2024)

Durham

• Origin: English (place name, Old English + Old Norse)
• Pronunciation: DUR-um · ˈdɜːrəm
• Meaning: hill island (Old English + Old Norse)
• Popularity: #7,874 and falling (#7,872 → #7,874, 2024)

Diego

• Origin: Spanish (from Latin/Iberian ‘Didacus’)
• Pronunciation: dee-AY-goh · diˈeɪgoʊ
• Meaning: supplanter
• Popularity: #145 and falling (#135 → #145, 2024)

More Names We Love

Dominic

• Origin: Latin
• Pronunciation: DOM-ih-nik · ˈdɑːmɪnɪk
• Meaning: belonging to the Lord
• Popularity: #108 and falling (#106 → #108, 2024)

Declan

• Origin: Irish
• Pronunciation: DEK-lun · ˈdɛklən
• Meaning: traditionally glossed as “full of goodness” (an alternate theory holds “man of prayer”)
• Popularity: #131 and rising (#132 → #131, 2024)

Desmond

• Origin: Irish (surname)
• Pronunciation: DEZ-mund · ˈdɛzmənd
• Meaning: a man from South Munster (from the Irish surname Ó Deasmhumhnaigh)
• Popularity: #368 and rising (#399 → #368, 2024)

Donovan

• Origin: Irish
• Pronunciation: DON-uh-vun · ˈdɑːnəvən
• Meaning: descendant of the dark-haired one
• Popularity: #504 and falling (#468 → #504, 2024)

Dorian

• Origin: Greek
• Pronunciation: DOR-ee-an · ˈdɔːriən
• Meaning: of the Dorians (an ancient Greek people/region, Doris)
• Popularity: #538 and rising (#608 → #538, 2024)

Dexter

• Origin: Latin; also English (surname)
• Pronunciation: DEKS-tur · ˈdɛkstər
• Meaning: right-handed or skillful (Latin); also independently from an English surname meaning ‘dyer of cloth’
• Popularity: #720 and falling (#701 → #720, 2024)

Dakari

• Origin: Shona (Zimbabwean), likely from Dakarai
• Pronunciation: dah-KAR-ee · dəˈkɑːri
• Meaning: rejoice, be happy
• Popularity: #793 and falling (#770 → #793, 2024)

Derrick

• Origin: Dutch/Germanic (variant of Derek)
• Pronunciation: DER-ik · ˈdɛrɪk
• Meaning: ruler of the people (as a variant of Derek)
• Popularity: #818 and falling (#758 → #818, 2024)

Dillon

• Origin: Irish (surname, Anglo-Norman/Breton origin)
• Pronunciation: DIL-un · ˈdɪlən
• Meaning: from the place name Léon (Brittany); no lexical meaning of its own
• Popularity: #868 and falling (#767 → #868, 2024)

Dimitri

• Origin: Greek (via Italian)
• Pronunciation: dih-MEE-tree · dɪˈmiːtri
• Meaning: devoted to Demeter
• Popularity: #993 and rising (#1,075 → #993, 2024)

DeAndre

• Origin: African American coinage (De- prefix + Andre)
• Pronunciation: dee-AHN-dray · diːˈɑːndreɪ
• Meaning: coined by combining the popular name-prefix ‘De-‘ (as in DeShawn, DeAngelo) with Andre; any meaning follows Andre’s root sense of ‘manly’/’brave’
• Popularity: #1,055 and falling (#964 → #1,055, 2024)

Dhruva

• Origin: Sanskrit
• Pronunciation: DROO-vuh · ˈdruːvə
• Meaning: Fixed, steadfast; the pole star
• Popularity: #2,794 and falling (#2,772 → #2,794, 2024)

Dietrich

• Origin: German (Germanic)
• Pronunciation: DEE-trik · ˈdiːtrɪk
• Meaning: ruler of the people
• Popularity: #3,335 and rising (#4,030 → #3,335, 2024)

Dhyan

• Origin: Sanskrit
• Pronunciation: DYAHN · djɑːn
• Meaning: meditation, focused contemplation
• Popularity: #5,483 and rising (#5,505 → #5,483, 2024)

Donato

• Origin: Latin (via Italian)
• Pronunciation: doh-NAH-toh · doʊˈnɑːtoʊ
• Meaning: given, bestowed
• Popularity: #5,704 and falling (#4,782 → #5,704, 2024)

Darragh

• Origin: Irish
• Pronunciation: DAR-uh · ˈdɑːrə
• Meaning: oak (from Irish dair/darach ‘oak’, via a surname meaning ‘descendant of black oak’)
• Popularity: #6,515 and rising (#6,984 → #6,515, 2024)

Dafydd

• Origin: Hebrew (Welsh form of David)
• Pronunciation: DAV-ith · ˈdævɪð
• Meaning: beloved
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Damilare

• Origin: Yoruba
• Pronunciation: dah-mee-LAH-reh · dɑːmiːˈlɑːreɪ
• Meaning: God has vindicated/rewarded me
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Deepak

• Origin: Sanskrit (via Hindi)
• Pronunciation: DEE-pak · ˈdiːpæk
• Meaning: little lamp; a kindler of light
• Popularity: #7,659 as of 2013 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Dermot

• Origin: Irish (anglicized form of Diarmaid)
• Pronunciation: DUR-mut · ˈdɜːrmət
• Meaning: traditionally glossed as ‘free from envy’ (as the anglicized form of Diarmaid)
• Popularity: #9,186 as of 2022 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Diarmuid

• Origin: Irish Gaelic
• Pronunciation: DEER-mid · ˈdɪərmɪd
• Meaning: free from envy
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Donnacha

• Origin: Irish
• Pronunciation: DUN-uh-khuh · ˈdɒnəkə
• Meaning: brown-haired warrior
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Dror

• Origin: Hebrew
• Pronunciation: DROR · drɔːr
• Meaning: freedom (also the Hebrew word for sparrow)
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Duarte

• Origin: Portuguese (form of Edward)
• Pronunciation: DWAR-tuh · ˈdwɑːrtə
• Meaning: Portuguese form of Edward, ‘wealthy guardian’
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Dunstan

• Origin: Old English
• Pronunciation: DUN-stuhn · ˈdʌnstən
• Meaning: hill stone
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Deodato

• Origin: Latin
• Pronunciation: day-oh-DAH-to · de.oˈdaːto
• Meaning: bestowed by God
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Devdatta

• Origin: Sanskrit
• Pronunciation: dev-DUT-tuh · deɪvˈdʌtːə
• Meaning: given by God
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Dieudonne

• Origin: French
• Pronunciation: dyuh-doh-NAY
• Meaning: given by God
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Diodoro

• Origin: Greek (via Italian)
• Pronunciation: dye-uh-DOR-oh · ˌdaɪəˈdɔːroʊ
• Meaning: gift of Zeus (masculine form)
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Dalveer

• Origin: Punjabi/Sanskrit
• Pronunciation: duhl-VEER · dʌlˈvɪər
• Meaning: brave soldier of the group
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Dilbag

• Origin: Punjabi (Persian roots)
• Pronunciation: dil-BAHG · dɪlˈbɑːɡ
• Meaning: heart as a garden; tender-hearted
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Divjot

• Origin: Punjabi/Sanskrit
• Pronunciation: div-JOHT · dɪvˈdʒoʊt
• Meaning: divine light
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Dragomir

• Origin: Slavic
• Pronunciation: DRAH-go-meer · ˈdrɑːɡɔːmɪər
• Meaning: dear/precious peace
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Dobromir

• Origin: Slavic
• Pronunciation: DOH-broh-meer · ˈdoʊbrəˌmɪər
• Meaning: good and peace (dobro = good, kind + mir = world, peace)
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Domhnall

• Origin: Scottish Gaelic (from Irish Domhnall)
• Pronunciation: DOH-null · ˈdoʊnəl
• Meaning: roughly ‘world ruler’ / ‘world-mighty’
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Donatien

• Origin: Latin (via French, from Donatus)
• Pronunciation: doh-nah-SYAN · dɔnaˈsjɛ̃
• Meaning: given as a gift (from Latin donare, ‘to give’)
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Dúpẹ́ọlá

• Origin: Yoruba
• Pronunciation: doo-peh-AW-lah · duːpɛɔːˈlɑː
• Meaning: Give thanks for honor/wealth
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Delwyn

• Origin: Welsh
• Pronunciation: DEL-win · ˈdɛlwɪn
• Meaning: pretty/neat and fair or blessed
• Popularity: #8,973 as of 2014 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Dewydd

• Origin: Welsh (Hebrew root)
• Pronunciation: DEH-with · ˈdɛwɪð
• Meaning: beloved
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Drystan

• Origin: Welsh (from Pictish/Brittonic)
• Pronunciation: DRIS-tən · ˈdrɪstən
• Meaning: tumult, commotion
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Dyfrig

• Origin: Welsh
• Pronunciation: DUH-vrig · ˈdəvrɪɡ
• Meaning: of the water, waterman
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Drennan

• Origin: Irish (surname, from Ó Draighneáin)
• Pronunciation: DREN-un · ˈdrɛnən
• Meaning: descendant of a man nicknamed for the blackthorn tree
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Dương

• Origin: Sino-Vietnamese
• Pronunciation: YOO-ung · jɨəŋ
• Meaning: sun / masculine principle, or ocean, depending on which Chinese character underlies the syllable
• Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

How These Names Are Trending

24 of these names rose in the U.S. Social Security rankings last year, and 26 are falling, per Social Security data through 2024.

How These Names Are Trending

24 of these names rose in the U.S. Social Security rankings last year, and 26 are falling, per Social Security data through 2024.

How These Names Are Trending

24 of these names rose in the U.S. Social Security rankings last year, and 26 are falling, per Social Security data through 2024.

How These Names Are Trending

17 of these names rose in the U.S. Social Security rankings last year, and 17 are falling, per Social Security data through 2024.

How These Names Are Trending

17 of these names rose in the U.S. Social Security rankings last year, and 17 are falling, per Social Security data through 2024.

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📊 Curious how popular a name actually is? Look it up in our Baby Name Popularity Checker — pulls live SSA data to show ranking trends.

Wrapping Up

After reading through over 40 boy names starting with D, surely you have found a few that you love. I must admit, I think I like Duncan and Decker the best!

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