UK boy's name
Duval
A French name with Spanish influence, possibly derived from a noble title.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 1997. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Duval is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Duval popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 1997 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2337, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 4 births.
This profile covers 4 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 1997 to 1997. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
Duval is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 4 living people in the UK are called Duval. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 1998 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Duval ranked #2337 for boys in England and Wales in 1997, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1997, when 4 boys were registered as Duval.
- • About 4 living people in the UK are estimated to have Duval as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2337
1997
Births in 1997
4
Latest year
Peak year
1997
4 births
Estimated living
4
2026
Meaning
What does Duval mean?
The name Duval is derived from the French language and has its origins in the Middle Ages. It is a variant spelling of the French surname "du Val," which translates to "of the valley." The name is believed to have originated as a descriptive term for individuals who lived in or near a valley.
During the medieval period, the name Duval was particularly prevalent in northern France, particularly in the regions of Normandy and Brittany. It was often used as a surname to distinguish families or individuals from a specific geographic location, such as a particular valley or settlement.
While the name Duval does not appear to have any direct references in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it has been recorded in historical documents and records from the Middle Ages onward. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Duval can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land and property in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Duval. One of the earliest was Guillaume Duval (c. 1190-1249), a French prelate who served as the Bishop of Lisieux from 1227 until his death. Another prominent figure was Claude Duval (c. 1643-1670), a famous French highwayman and outlaw who became renowned for his daring robberies and gentlemanly conduct.
In the realm of art, the name Duval is associated with Pierre Puvis de Chavannes (1824-1898), a renowned French painter known for his murals and allegorical works. In literature, the French author and philosopher Henri Duval (1812-1882) gained recognition for his writings on philosophy and education.
Another notable figure was Fernand Duval (1889-1957), a French actor and film director who appeared in numerous films during the early 20th century. In the field of sports, Duval was the surname of John Duval (1766-1822), an English cricketer who played for Hampshire and England during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have borne the name Duval, showcasing its enduring presence across various fields and cultures over several centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Duval by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Duval was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | #2337 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Duval
- Daniel 120,900
- Dylan 60,836
- David 37,852
- Dominic 20,480
- Declan 11,657
- Dexter 11,627
- Danny 8,434
- Dean 5,329
- Dillon 4,113
- Douglas 3,773
- Dominik 3,494
- Damian 3,486
FAQ
Duval: questions and answers
How popular is the name Duval in the UK right now?
In 1997, Duval was ranked #2337 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Duval most popular?
The peak year on record was 1997, with 4 babies registered as Duval in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Duval?
A French name with Spanish influence, possibly derived from a noble title.
How many people are called Duval in the UK?
A total of 4 babies have been registered as Duval across the 1 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.