Dwaine
Dwaine was not among the names given to 5 or more boys in 2025. Its best year was 1951, when it ranked 703rd; the most babies were born in 1959 (112). More babies were named Dwaine in the 1950s than in any other decade.
Meaning (as Dwayne) variant of Duane; "dark" · Irish
- Rank in 2025
- Not rankedboys
- Babies in 2025
- 0boys
- Girls and boys
- Almost always a boy’s name2021–2025
- Peak year
- 1959112 babies
- Total since 1880
- 4,362babies recorded
What does the name Dwaine mean?
Dwaine is a spelling of Dwayne, pronounced the same way, so it shares Dwayne's meaning and origin.
Dwayne is a spelling of Duane, an English form of the Irish Dubhán, a personal name from dubh, "black, dark", with a small-making ending. It also comes through the surname Ó Dubháin, "descendant of Dubhán". Wikipedia mentions an early Irish saint Dubhán. Spelled Duane, Dwayne or Dewayne, the name became popular in the US in the mid-20th century.
dubh (Irish, “black, dark”)
How sure is this? Well established.
Related names: Duane, Dewayne, Dwain.
See also: Irish names, names that mean a color.
Sources for this meaning
- Wiktionary, entry 'Dwayne', Wiktionary (Wikimedia Foundation)
- Wiktionary, entry 'Duane', Wiktionary (Wikimedia Foundation)
- Wikipedia, 'Dwayne', Wikipedia (Wikimedia Foundation)
Dwaine popularity since 1880
| Year | Rank (boys) | Babies (boys) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2020 | #12,566 | 5 |
| 2010 | #11,132 | 6 |
| 2000 | #9,441 | 6 |
| 1990 | #2,327 | 30 |
| 1980 | #1,872 | 30 |
| 1970 | #935 | 73 |
| 1960 | #731 | 111 |
| 1950 | #840 | 66 |
| 1940 | #898 | 50 |
| 1930 | #825 | 62 |
| 1920 | #1,515 | 25 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
How popular is Dwaine, counting every spelling?
Dwaine is a spelling of Dwayne, a name family that ranked #1,177 for boys in 2025 once every spelling is counted together. Together these spellings went to 160 boys in 2025.
Spellings count together when they sound the same in American English and are used for the same sex; nicknames and forms that sound different (such as Theo and Theodore) are kept apart. How we group spellings.
How old are people named Dwaine?
About 2,600 people born in the US named Dwaine are alive today, with a median age of 62; half are between 49 and 71. That makes Dwaine a name most people associate with older generations.
Babies given the name each year (SSA) times the share of that birth year still alive (SSA life tables). Counts people born in the US only. Method.
Dwaine by state
How common Dwaine was among boys born in each state in 1957–1961, around its peak. It is notably more common than nationally in Ohio (1.7×). In 40 states fewer than five boys a year got the name, too few for SSA to publish, so those states show as zero.
Names with a similar history
These names rose and fell in step with Dwaine: their share of US boys followed the most similar curve since 1880. If you like Dwaine, they share its era and feel.
Questions about the name Dwaine
What does Dwaine mean?
Dwaine is a spelling of Dwayne, which means “variant of Duane; "dark"” (Irish origin). Certainty: well established.
How popular is the name Dwaine?
Dwaine was not among the names given to 5 or more boys in 2025. Its best year was 1951, when it ranked 703rd; the most babies were born in 1959 (112). More babies were named Dwaine in the 1950s than in any other decade.
Is Dwaine a boy or girl name?
In 2021–2025, almost always a boy’s name given the name Dwaine in the US.
Where was Dwaine most popular?
In 1957–1961, Dwaine was most common in Ohio (0.08 per 1,000 boys), followed by Illinois and Michigan.