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.