Find out how popular the first name Dodger has been for the last 27 years (from 1997 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Dodger by gender

Based on the last 27 years of data, Dodger is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Dodger.

The history of the first name Dodger

The given name Dodger is a relatively modern invention, stemming from the late 19th century. Its origins can be traced back to the term "to dodge," meaning to evade or avoid something. This verb itself is derived from the older English word "doger," which referred to a skilled boxer or wrestler who could skillfully evade blows.

In the 1880s, the term "dodger" gained popularity as a nickname for skilled baseball players who could deftly dodge pitches or defensive players on the basepaths. One of the earliest recorded examples of this usage was for the Brooklyn Baseball Club, whose players were dubbed the "Brooklyn Dodgers" by sportswriters of the time. This moniker eventually became the official team name.

While the name Dodger did not gain widespread use as a given name until the 20th century, there are a few notable historical figures who bore this name. One of the earliest was Dodger Pearce (1880-1962), an English cricketer who played for Somerset County Cricket Club in the early 1900s.

Another early bearer of the name was Dodger Rader (1892-1964), an American baseball player who spent several seasons in the minor leagues in the 1910s and 1920s. His nickname was likely inspired by his agility on the basepaths.

In the realm of literature, one of the most famous individuals named Dodger is the character Dodger Bayliss from Charles Dickens' novel "The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit," published in 1844. While not the main protagonist, Dodger was a memorable supporting character, a crafty and streetwise young man.

Moving into the 20th century, one notable individual named Dodger was Dodger Dunlop (1920-1994), a Scottish footballer who played as a striker for several clubs, including Aberdeen and Falkirk, in the 1940s and 1950s.

Finally, one of the more recent historical figures with the name Dodger was Dodger Phillips (1942-2021), an American singer and songwriter who found success in the country music genre in the 1970s and 1980s, with hits such as "Raised on Rock" and "Bayou Drive."

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Dodger was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Dodger, please contact us.

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