The name duane is of irish origin, derived from the gaelic name dubhán, which means little dark one or descendant of dubhán. the name is believed to have originated as a byname for someone …The name duane is of irish origin and is derived from the gaelic name dubhán, meaning little dark one or dark-haired. it is a masculine name that has been popularized in english-speaking countries.Duane is both a given name for a male, and a family name.The name is short for dubhán which is from the name of monks from an established abbey in hook head, ireland, in the 5th century.Duane as a boys' name (also used less widely as girls' name duane) is pronounced d'wayn.It is of irish and gaelic origin, and the meaning of duane is dark, swarthy.