Dorian first name popularity, history and meaning

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

Meaning of Dorian

One of Greek origin signifying man from the Dorian region.

Popularity of Dorian by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Dorian is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 87% of people named Dorian being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 465 male babies and 13 female babies born with the name Dorian.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 465 13
2022 521 15
2021 497 18
2020 559 17
2019 559 15
2018 544 20
2017 527 12
2016 531 24
2015 509 23
2014 516 19
2013 485 25
2012 464 22
2011 489 21
2010 514 30
2009 524 30
2008 641 43
2007 542 43
2006 578 44
2005 625 47
2004 595 66
2003 560 60
2002 586 64
2001 603 75
2000 639 64
1999 420 97
1998 421 103
1997 392 81
1996 395 83
1995 408 91
1994 370 92
1993 362 93
1992 371 85
1991 364 72
1990 358 62
1989 334 63
1988 290 74
1987 252 97
1986 187 82
1985 225 76
1984 202 109
1983 215 125
1982 221 103
1981 165 79
1980 165 94
1979 219 79
1978 182 89
1977 224 83
1976 205 69
1975 223 69
1974 229 110

The history of the first name Dorian

The name Dorian has its origins in ancient Greece, derived from the Doric dialect spoken in the Dorian region of the Peloponnese peninsula. It is thought to have stemmed from the Greek word "doris," meaning "of the Dorians." The Dorians were one of the four major ethnic groups in ancient Greece, known for their simplicity, austerity, and valor in battle.

In literature, the name Dorian first appeared in the works of ancient Greek historians and philosophers, such as Herodotus and Plato, who documented the cultural and linguistic characteristics of the Dorian people. The name also found its way into Greek mythology, with figures like Dorian, the eponymous founder of the Dorian tribe, and Dorus, the son of Hellen, the mythical progenitor of the Greek nation.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Dorian was in the 5th century BC, when Dorian, a Greek sculptor from the island of Rhodes, gained fame for his intricate marble works. Another notable bearer of the name was Dorian the Grammarian, a Byzantine scholar who lived in the 6th century AD and wrote extensively on Greek grammar and syntax.

In more recent history, the name Dorian gained prominence through literary and artistic figures. Dorian Gray, the central character in Oscar Wilde's novel "The Picture of Dorian Gray" (1890), became an iconic representation of the pursuit of eternal youth and beauty. Dorian Leigh (1917-2008), an American model and actress, was one of the first celebrated supermodels of the 20th century.

Other notable individuals named Dorian include Dorian Coninx (1654-1701), a Flemish painter known for his religious works, Dorian Shainin (1914-2000), an American engineer and statistician who developed innovative quality control methods, and Dorian Concept (born 1984), an Austrian electronic music producer and DJ renowned for his unique blend of styles.

Throughout history, the name Dorian has carried connotations of classical Greek culture, artistic expression, and a connection to the Dorian people's reputation for strength and resilience. Its enduring popularity can be attributed to its rich historical roots and the diverse range of accomplished individuals who have borne this name over the centuries.

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

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

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"Dorian first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on October 31, 2024. http://namecensus.com/first-names/dorian-meaning-and-history/.

"Dorian first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/dorian-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 31 October, 2024

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

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