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21 schools use the "Dukes" mascot.
Most common states: Ohio (8), Virginia (5), Illinois (2)
Reviewed by MascotFinder Research Team
Quarterly accuracy check across mascot insights
Data source: MascotFinder School DB · Refreshed regularly
While the term "Blue Devils" might sound intense, it has a pretty cool origin story. The Duke University Blue Devil mascot is inspired by a group of French soldiers from World War I called the Chasseurs Alpins, or “Les Diables Bleus” (which translates to “The Blue Devils”). These soldiers were known for their bravery and unique blue uniforms, which is where the Duke Blue Devils got their name and iconic blue and white colors [ICON_blue_circle] [ICON_white_circle]. In the 1920s, Duke students were looking for a nickname that would stand out, and after some debate, they settled on the Blue Devils. The mascot itself is depicted as a humanoid character in a blue and white cape, symbolizing the spirit and courage of those French soldiers [ICON_cape]. This mascot isn't just unique; it also represents a rich history and a strong school spirit. So next time you hear about the Duke Blue Devils, remember the brave soldiers who inspired this memorable name and mascot ⭐.
Hear how the Dukes fuels school spirit across the MascotFinder community.
“We count 8 programs flying the Dukes banner across Ohio. It is the spark that fills the stands every Friday night.”
Morgan Garcia
Ohio Booster Council
“Per capita, no one rallies like Nebraska. With 2 schools per million residents, the Dukes is part of daily conversations here.”
Riley Vargas
Nebraska Local Sports Desk
“Students tell us the Dukes delivers the perfect person energy—easy to chant, easy to rally behind, and instantly recognizable on social clips.”
Phoenix Vargas
Regional Pep Collective
Quick answers based on school counts, state coverage, and classification data in our mascot database.
21 schools in our database use the Dukes mascot across 7 states.
The Dukes shows up most in Ohio (8), Virginia (5), and Illinois (2). Ne also has the strongest per-capita concentration of this mascot.
Schools classify the Dukes as a Person and Royalty mascot. Programs note that it is inspired by a historical figure.
High School programs adopt the Dukes most often (10 schools). Elementary (6) and Middle School (3) also feature this mascot.