Top 50 Baby Boy Names That Start With D and Their Meanings

The Timeless Appeal of Boy Names That Start with D

Boy names that start with D started to be a popular choice in the 1950s and 1960s. A 2022 study found that nearly 5% of baby boys had names starting with D, and several D names ranked among the top names in recent years.

D boy names blend classic and modern styles. Traditional favourites like Daniel and David sit alongside newer picks such as Dylan, Declan, Dean, and Diego. These names are used around the world, with popular choices including Darragh and Donnacha in Ireland, Dagur in Iceland, and Daan in the Netherlands.

Loved for their strong and clear sound, D names are easy to say and remember. They also offer a great variety, from cute and modern names like Danny, Dax, Dallas, and Dexter to unique options like Dashiell and Deveraux, plus gender neutral and meaningful names such as Dylan, Dakota, David, and Darius.

Classic and Enduring Boy Names That Start with D

Dean comes from the Old English word denu, meaning “valley,” and it is also linked to the title of a “church official.”

Dennis comes from the Greek name Dionysios, meaning “follower of Dionysus.” It became popular in the early 1900s.

Douglas has Scottish roots and means “dark river” or “black stream.”

Dale comes from Old English dæl, meaning “valley.” It has been used steadily since the early 1900s.

Don is a short form of Donald, which comes from Scottish Gaelic meaning “world ruler” or “brown-haired chieftain.”

Darryl is an English name that means “dearly loved.”

Modern and Trending Boy Names That Start with D

Dylan is a Welsh name meaning “son of the sea” or “born from the ocean,” linked to the Welsh god of the sea.

Dominic comes from the Latin name Dominicus, meaning “belonging to the Lord.”

Damian has Latin and Greek roots, meaning “to tame” or “subdue.”

Diego is a Spanish name, a version of James or Santiago, meaning “supplanter” and also linked to the Latin Didacus, meaning “teacher” or “instructor.”

Dawson is an English name meaning “son of David,” originally a surname. It is modern, trendy, and has become a popular first name.

Dallas is a Scottish name meaning “from the meadow dwelling.” It is modern, strong, and can also honor Texan roots.

Derek is a German name, derived from Theodoric, meaning “ruler of the people.”

Dakota is a Native American name from the Sioux tribe, meaning “friend” or “ally.”

Denver is an English name meaning “green valley” or “ford/crossing,” originally from place names in England and France.

Dalton is an English name meaning “valley town,” from the Old English words dæl (valley) and tun (settlement).

Dustin is of Old Norse origin, meaning “valiant fighter” or “Thor’s stone.”

Dexter is a Latin name meaning “skilled,” “right-handed,” or “dyer.”

Duke is an English name meaning “leader” or “nobleman,” from the Latin dux. It is strong, regal, and sophisticated, also used as a title of nobility.

Unique and Rare Boy Names That Start with D

Dario is a Spanish and Italian name, a variation of Darius, meaning “possessor of good,” “upholder of good,” or “rich and kingly.”

Dhruv is of Indian (Sanskrit) origin and means “pole star” or “constant, immovable.”

Draven is an English name inspired by “raven” or the character Eric Draven from The Crow, meaning “child of beautiful shadows.”

Daemon is of Greek origin, derived from daimon, meaning “guardian spirit.”

Denim is an American name inspired by the fabric, giving it a rustic and unique vibe.

Dovid is of Hebrew origin and is the traditional form of David, meaning “beloved.”

Davi is the Portuguese form of David and means “beloved.”

Draco is a Greek and Latin name meaning “dragon.” It is powerful, bold, and mythological, and is also known from the Harry Potter series.

Boy Names That Start with D with Strong Meanings and Origins

Desmond is an Irish name, derived from the Gaelic Deas-Mhumhna, meaning “from South Munster.”

Damon is of Greek origin, meaning “to tame” or “subdue.” It is historically linked to the story of Damon and Pythias, symbolizing loyalty and friendship.

Donovan has Irish roots, derived from the Gaelic Ó Donnabháin, meaning “dark-haired chieftain.”

Deacon is an English name with Greek origin, meaning “servant” or “messenger,” originally referring to a church official.

Dane is an English name, meaning “from Denmark” or “Danish man.”

Dash is an English name, a short form of Dashiell, possibly from the French de Chiel, meaning “from heaven.”

Duncan is a Scottish name meaning “dark warrior,” derived from the Gaelic Donnchadh, combining donn (dark) and cath (battle).

Darwin is an English name meaning “dear friend” or “beloved friend,” from the Old English Deorwine.

Darren is an Irish name meaning “little oak” or “great.”

Damari is a modern name of African origin, meaning “to stand” or “to be strong.”

Middle Name Considerations for Boy Names That Start with D

Danny (short form of Daniel) comes from Hebrew, meaning “God is my judge.” It is a popular name used as a first or middle name

The name Dax comes from the town of Dax in southwestern France, known for its hot springs. It also means “leader.”

Drew is an English name and a short form of Andrew. It comes from Greek and means “manly” or “brave.”

Dior is a French name that comes from d’or, meaning “golden” or “precious.” The name is popularized by a beauty and fashion brand.

Dan is a short Hebrew name meaning “Judge”

Dale is an English name meaning “valley,” from the Old English word dæl.

Historical Figures with Boy Names That Start with D

Daniel is a Hebrew name, meaning “God is my judge.” It appears in the Bible, notably in the prophet Daniel, and has been used by many historical figures for centuries.

David is a Hebrew name meaning “beloved.” It is famously borne by the biblical King David, an important figure in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions.

Donald has Scottish and Gaelic roots derived from Domhnall, meaning “world ruler” or “mighty ruler.” Notable historical figures include U.S. President Donald Trump and computer scientist Donald Knuth.

Darius is a Persian name, meaning “he possesses” or “upholder of good.” Several ancient Persian kings, like ‘Darius the Great’, bore this name, making it historically significant.

Dante is an Italian name, meaning “enduring” or “steadfast.” The most famous bearer is Dante Alighieri, the medieval Italian poet who wrote The Divine Comedy.

Dmitri has Russian and Greek roots derived from Demetrios, meaning “devoted to Demeter,” the Greek goddess of agriculture. Notable historical figures include chemist Dmitri Mendeleev, who created the periodic table.

Dion is a Greek name, meaning “follower of Dionysus,” the Greek god of wine and revelry. Dion of Syracuse was a prominent Greek statesman and philosopher.

Tips for Parents: Choosing the Perfect Boy Names That Start with D

• Look at the meaning of the name and its cultural or historical origins. Names like Daniel (“God is my judge”) or Darius (“upholder of good”) carry meanings that can inspire or reflect family values.
• Decide whether you want a traditional, widely recognized name like David or Dylan, or a more unique choice like Draven or Dhruv. Unique names can stand out, while common names are easier for others to recognize and pronounce.
• Say the full name out loud, including first, middle, and last names. Ensure the initials and rhythm sound pleasant. Short yet strong D names like Dean or Dale pair well with longer middle or last names.
• Choose names that honor heritage or family traditions. Names like Dmitri (Russian), Dhruv (Indian), or Diego (Spanish) can reflect cultural identity and personal meaning.
• D boy names have a strong and clear sound. Pick names with bold consonants and two syllables, like Damon or Darren, which are easy to say and memorable.
• Think about how the name will suit your child at all ages, from childhood through adulthood. Strong and classic names like David, Duncan, or Dominic age well.