Dwayne

Dwayne is a masculine given name used in English-speaking countries. It is often considered a variant of the name Duane and has been popular in the United States since the mid-20th century. The name is typically given to boys and appears across various professions, including entertainment, sports, and public life.

The name is commonly traced to the Irish name Dubhán, meaning “little dark one” or “dark-haired one.” Over time, Dubhán evolved into Anglicized forms such as Duane and Dwayne, with Dwayne emerging as a distinctive modern spelling. The usage of Dwayne has been reinforced by cultural figures and fictional characters bearing the name.

Notable people and characters with the name include Dwayne Johnson, an American actor and former professional wrestler known as The Rock; Dwayne McDuffie, an American comic book writer and creator of Milestone Media; Dwayne Hickman, an American actor and television director; Dwayne Carter Jr., the birth name of rapper Lil Wayne; and Dwayne Wayne, a fictional character on the television series A Different World. The name has also appeared in various professional and creative fields, reflecting its broad adoption in contemporary naming practices.