Duwayne is a unique and uncommon given name of American origin. It was coined by the American author Richard S. Prather in his 1954 novel "Bait and Switch," featuring his private investigator character, Shell Scott.
The name Duwayne does not have a specific meaning or association with any particular culture or language. As it was created for fictional purposes, its significance is tied to its usage in literature. However, some people have interpreted the name's sound to be similar to other names with positive connotations, such as Wayne (which means "cart maker" or "wagon maker") and Duke ("leader"), giving Duwayne associations with leadership and strength.
Despite being created for a novel character over six decades ago, Duwayne has not gained significant popularity in baby name rankings. Its rarity may contribute to its intrigue and allure for those who choose it. It is often spelled in various ways, such as Duane, DeWayne, or Dwane, but the original spelling created by Prather is Duwayne.
In summary, Duwayne is an American invention with no inherent meaning beyond its fictional roots. Its popularity remains limited, making it a distinctive choice for those seeking a unique name.
The name Duwayne experienced fluctuations in popularity over the years, peaking around the late 1940s to early 1950s with over 60 births per year, reaching a high of 78 births in 1958. However, starting from the mid-1960s, there was a significant decline, with fewer than 60 births annually. By the late 1970s and early 1980s, it dipped below 30 births per year. From the 1990s onwards, Duwayne has been quite uncommon, with fewer than 20 births per year, often dropping into single digits since the mid-2000s. In total, there have been 3601 births of the name Duwayne from 1916 to 2017.