Douglas in Chinese
Douglas in Chinese is 道格拉斯 (Dào Gé Lā Sī).
- Origin
- Scottish
- Meaning
- dark river
Douglas is a name of Scottish origin, generally understood to mean "dark river". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 1950s.
3 ways to write Douglas
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
道格拉斯
Dào Gé Lā Sī
The standard transliteration of Douglas: 道 (dào, "the Way, path"), 格 (gé, "pattern, standard"), 拉 (lā, "to pull (phonetic 'la')"), 斯 (sī, "this (phonetic 's')"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
To fit Mandarin syllable rules, the sounds are broken into 4 characters: 道 dào + 格 gé + 拉 lā + 斯 sī. The tone contour is 4-2-1-1 (falling, rising, high level, high level).
Character breakdown
43 strokes total (simplified)- 道
dào
Tone 4 · 13 strokes (simplified)
the Way, path
- 格
gé
Tone 2 · 10 strokes (simplified)
pattern, standard
- 拉
lā
Tone 1 · 8 strokes (simplified)
to pull (phonetic 'la')
- 斯
sī
Tone 1 · 12 strokes (simplified)
this (phonetic 's')
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
清源
Qīng Yuán
Inspired by "dark river": 清 (qīng, "clear, pure") + 源 (yuán, "source, origin"), expressing water and the sea.
Why these characters?
清 (clear, pure) answers the "river" in Douglas's meaning, and 源 (source, origin) rounds it off as a typical ending for boys' names.
Character breakdown
24 strokes total (simplified)- 清
qīng
Tone 1 · 11 strokes (simplified)
clear, pure
- 源
yuán
Tone 2 · 13 strokes (simplified)
source, origin
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
达海
Dá Hǎi
达 (dá, "to reach, attain") + 海 (hǎi, "sea, ocean"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
Instead of the purely phonetic 道, this uses 达 (dá, "to reach, attain") for the "dou" sound, then 海 ("sea, ocean") for meaning.
Character breakdown
17 strokes total (simplified)- 达
dá
Tone 2 · 7 strokes (simplified)
to reach, attain
- 海
hǎi
Tone 3 · 10 strokes (simplified)
sea, ocean
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 557,332 boys named Douglas since 1880, with the high point in 1957 (16,724 births) and the busiest decade being the 1950s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #103 to #627 among boys.
- Peak year
- 1957
- Peak decade
- 1950s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 557,332
More About Douglas in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Douglas offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Douglas, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Preston in Chinese, Martin in Chinese, and Brendan in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Brady in Chinese, Nicolas in Chinese, and Javier in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Douglas, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Douglas to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
What is Douglas in Chinese characters?
道格拉斯 (Dào Gé Lā Sī), identical in simplified and traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How popular is the name Douglas?
US Social Security records show 557,332 boys named Douglas since 1880, with the high point in 1957 (16,724 births) and the busiest decade being the 1950s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #103 to #627 among boys.
Is there a Chinese name for Douglas with real meaning?
Try 清源 (Qīng Yuán): clear, pure + source, origin, inspired by "dark river". For something that still sounds like Douglas, 达海 (Dá Hǎi) is a middle ground.