The name Dorcas originates from the Ancient Greek language and culture. It derives from the Greek word "dorkás" which means "gazelle" or "doe". The name can be traced back to the 1st century AD.

In the Christian New Testament, the book of Acts mentions a woman named Dorcas who lived in the ancient city of Joppa (modern-day Jaffa, Israel). She was known for her charitable works and good deeds, particularly making clothes for widows. After her death, the apostle Peter miraculously resurrected her.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Dorcas is from the 1st century AD Christian martyr, Saint Dorcas. Little is known about her life, except that she suffered martyrdom during the reign of the Roman emperor Trajan in the early 2nd century.

In the 16th century, Dorcas was a relatively common name among Puritans and English Protestant families. A notable bearer was Dorcas Braithwaite (1623-1685), an English Quaker missionary who traveled extensively in the American colonies.

Another historical figure named Dorcas was Dorcas Carey (1779-1855), the wife of the English Baptist missionary William Carey. She accompanied her husband to India and assisted him in his missionary work, including establishing schools for women and girls.

In the 19th century, Dorcas Societies became popular in many churches, named after the biblical Dorcas. These were charitable organizations run by women who made clothing and other items for the poor and needy.

A more recent example is Dorcas Reilly (1916-2013), an American inventor and kitchen gadget designer. She is best known for creating the green plastic "Dorcas" bean slicer and other kitchen tools.