Find out how popular the first name Dolores has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Dolores by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Dolores is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Dolores being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 68 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Dolores.

The history of the first name Dolores

Dolores is a feminine given name with Latin origins, derived from the Spanish word "dolores" which means "sorrows" or "pains." It is closely associated with the Virgin Mary and her Seven Sorrows, a popular devotion in Catholic Christianity.

The name first emerged in the 15th century in Spain, where it was given to girls in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary's suffering during the Passion of Christ. It was particularly popular among Spanish Catholics who revered the Virgin Mary and her sorrows.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name can be found in the 16th century Spanish novel "La Celestina" by Fernando de Rojas, where a character named Dolores appears. The name gained wider recognition in the 17th century with the publication of the book "Dolores de la Virgen" by the Spanish priest and writer Gaspar Gorricio.

Throughout history, several notable women have borne the name Dolores. One of the most famous was Dolores Ibárruri Gómez (1895-1989), a Spanish Republican leader and communist politician known as "La Pasionaria" during the Spanish Civil War. Another was Dolores Huerta (born 1930), an American labor leader and civil rights activist who co-founded the National Farmworkers Association with Cesar Chavez.

In the literary world, Dolores Redondo (born 1969) is a contemporary Spanish novelist known for her Baztán Trilogy, a series of crime novels set in the Basque Country. In the arts, Dolores del Río (1905-1983) was a renowned Mexican film actress who achieved success in Hollywood during the Golden Age of Mexican cinema.

Another notable figure was Dolores Gomez Palacios (1845-1929), a Cuban revolutionary and feminist who fought for women's rights and the independence of Cuba from Spain in the late 19th century.

While the name Dolores has its roots in Spain and Catholic tradition, it has since been adopted in various cultures and languages around the world, becoming a popular name in many Spanish-speaking countries as well as in parts of Europe and the Americas.

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 Dolores was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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