Dore first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Dore has been for the last 19 years (from 1978 to 1996) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Dore

Gift from God, a name of French origin.

Popularity of Dore by gender

Based on the last 19 years of data, Dore is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 81% of people named Dore being female.

For the most recent data in 1996, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Dore.

It's also interesting to see that despite Dore being historically a mostly female name, the most recent data from 1996 shows a shift in the trend, with more male babies being named Dore.

Year Male Count Female Count
1996 5 0
1986 0 5
1983 0 5
1980 0 6
1978 0 5

The history of the first name Dore

The name Dore is believed to have originated from the Old French language, with roots dating back to the Middle Ages. It is thought to be a variation of the name Doree, which means "golden" or "gilded" in French. This name was likely given to children with golden or blonde hair, or perhaps as a reference to their perceived value or precious nature.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Dore can be found in the 12th-century epic poem "The Song of Roland," where a character named Dore is mentioned. This suggests that the name was in use during the medieval period, at least among the French-speaking populations of Europe.

In the 15th century, a French painter and engraver named Dore was born, though his full name is not widely recorded. His works, which included illustrations for famous literary works such as the Bible and Dante's "Divine Comedy," were renowned for their intricate detail and imaginative interpretations.

Moving forward in history, we find Dore Hoey (1905-1967), an American actress and dancer who appeared in several Broadway productions and Hollywood films during the 1930s and 1940s. Her most notable role was in the 1941 film "The Maltese Falcon," where she played the character of Miss Wonderly.

Another prominent figure with the name Dore was Dore Schary (1905-1980), an American film producer, writer, and executive. He served as the president of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) from 1951 to 1956 and was responsible for overseeing the production of several acclaimed films during his tenure, including "Viva Zapata!" and "Julius Caesar."

In the world of literature, Dore Ashton (1928-2017) was an American art critic and historian who wrote extensively on modern and contemporary art. Her books, such as "The Unknown Shore" and "About Rothko," were highly regarded in the art community and helped shape the understanding and appreciation of various artistic movements.

While the name Dore may not be as common today as it once was, its rich history and cultural significance make it a unique and intriguing choice for those seeking a name with a strong connection to the past.

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

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

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"Dore first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on July 16, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/dore-meaning-and-history/.

"Dore first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/dore-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 16 July, 2025

Dore first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/dore-meaning-and-history/.

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