name
Common
Duncan
DUHNG-kuhn
Duncan (name) means a male given name and surname of Scottish Gaelic origin, borne by two early kings of Scotland; also the name of numerous towns worldwide. Example: “Duncan was crowned King of Scotland before being murdered by Macbeth.”
name
1
A male given name and surname of Scottish Gaelic origin, borne by two early kings of Scotland; also the name of numerous towns worldwide.
"Duncan was crowned King of Scotland before being murdered by Macbeth."
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Word forms
- Plural
- Duncans
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ was crowned King of Scotland before being murdered by Macbeth.
Etymology
From Scottish Gaelic Donnchadh, composed of donn ("brown") + cath ("battle").
Frequently asked questions
What does “Duncan” mean?
The word “Duncan” means a male given name and surname of Scottish Gaelic origin, borne by two early kings of Scotland; also the name of numerous towns worldwide.
How do you pronounce “Duncan”?
“Duncan” is pronounced DUHNG-kuhn (/ˈdʌŋkən/ in IPA).
How do you use “Duncan” in a sentence?
Here is “Duncan” used in a sentence: “Duncan was crowned King of Scotland before being murdered by Macbeth.”
What part of speech is “Duncan”?
“Duncan” is a name.
Where does the word “Duncan” come from?
The word “Duncan” comes from Scottish Gaelic. From Scottish Gaelic Donnchadh, composed of donn ("brown") + cath ("battle").
Is “Duncan” a common word?
“Duncan” is a fairly common word in modern English.
Is Duncan a first name or a surname?
Duncan is both a male given name and a surname of Scottish Gaelic origin. It also appears as a place name, borne by numerous towns around the world.
Who was King Duncan?
The name Duncan was borne by two early kings of Scotland. King Duncan is best known today as the Scottish king murdered by Macbeth in Shakespeare's tragedy "Macbeth," a character loosely based on the historical Duncan I.
Is Duncan a Scottish name?
Yes. Duncan is of Scottish Gaelic origin and has deep roots in Scotland, where it was the name of two early kings. It is now used as both a first name and a surname throughout the English-speaking world.
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