Duran is of Spanish and Basque origin, derived from the word 'dura,' meaning strong or enduring. It is a unisex given name, though it is more commonly used for males. The name gained significant popularity in the latter half of the 20th century, particularly in Spain and other Latin American countries. In recent years, it has also started to appear more frequently in English-speaking nations. Duran is often associated with the Spanish verb 'durar,' which means 'to last' or 'to endure.' This could imply that someone named Duran is expected to be resilient and steadfast. The name Duran is often paired with middle names like José, Luis, or Antonio for males, and names like Isabel, Sofía, or María for females. It can also be spelled Durán, with the acute accent on the 'a,' which is more common in Spanish-speaking countries but less so in English-speaking ones. Some notable individuals with this name include Duran 'Duran' Duran, the British rock band's frontman Simon Le Bon, and Mexican soccer player Carlos Alberto 'El Pibe' Valderrama.
"Duran has experienced fluctuations in popularity over time, with a notable surge from the late 1970s to the mid-1980s, peaking at 68 births in 1984. However, since the early 1990s, it has steadily decreased, with only 7 births recorded in 2023."