Doug

Doug is a masculine given name, commonly used as a shortened form of Douglas. It is frequently encountered in English-speaking countries and can be found both as a stand-alone given name and as a familiar form used in informal contexts.

Douglas itself is a Scottish toponymic surname and given name deriving from Gaelic elements, traditionally interpreted as "dark stream" or "dark water" (from Dubhghlas). The shortened form Doug emerged as a casual nickname and became an established given name in its own right.

Several public figures are known simply as Doug in professional contexts. Notable individuals include Doug Pederson, an American football coach and former quarterback; Doug Liman, an American film director; Doug Flutie, a Canadian-American former professional football quarterback; and Doug Jones, an American actor known for his roles in The Shape of Water and Pan's Labyrinth.

Fictional characters named Doug include Doug Funnie, the eagerly earnest protagonist of the animated series Doug (1991–1999). The name has also appeared in other media as a nickname for characters named Douglas.

Variants and related names include Douglas, and Dougie; Doug functions as an informal or affectionate given name in its own right.