Find out how popular the last name Dorrah is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Dorrah.

Dorrah, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Dorrah surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Dorrah in America

Dorrah is the 150452nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Dorrah surname appeared 109 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Dorrah.

We can also compare 2010 data for Dorrah to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Dorrah

The surname DORRAH has its roots in the Middle Eastern region, with origins tracing back to ancient Persia (modern-day Iran) and the surrounding areas. It is believed to have derived from the Persian word "Dorr," which means "pearl" or "precious stone." This connection suggests that the name may have initially been associated with families involved in the pearl trade or those who possessed wealth and status.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in historical manuscripts from the 9th century, where a Persian merchant named Dorrah Ibn al-Khazari was mentioned as a prominent figure in the silk and spice trade routes between Persia and the Mediterranean region. This reference indicates that the name was already established during the Islamic Golden Age, a time of great cultural and economic prosperity in the Middle East.

As the name spread across the region, it likely underwent various spelling variations due to the influence of different languages and dialects. For example, in Arabic-speaking regions, it may have been spelled as "Durrah" or "Durra," while in Turkish-influenced areas, it could have been rendered as "Dura" or "Dorra."

In the 12th century, a notable figure named Dorrah al-Bakri was recorded as a renowned scholar and historian from Baghdad, known for his contributions to the fields of geography and Islamic studies. His work, titled "Al-Masalik wa'l-Mamalik" (The Roads and Kingdoms), provided valuable insights into the trade routes and cultural landscapes of the region during that era.

During the Ottoman Empire's reign in the 16th century, a high-ranking military commander named Dorrah Pasha was mentioned in historical accounts for his role in the conquest of Egypt and the subsequent administration of the region. His descendants likely continued to carry the surname, contributing to its further spread and recognition.

In more recent times, one notable figure with the surname DORRAH was Ahmad Dorrah, an influential Egyptian politician and diplomat who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the 1960s. He played a crucial role in shaping Egypt's foreign policy and strengthening its relations with other nations during a pivotal period in the country's history.

Another individual of note was Salim Dorrah, an acclaimed Lebanese writer and poet who lived in the early 20th century. His literary works, which often explored themes of identity and cultural heritage, gained recognition both within the Arab world and internationally.

It is worth noting that while the surname DORRAH has its roots in the Middle East, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and cultural exchanges. However, the historical references and examples provided offer a glimpse into the rich tapestry of the name's origins and its significance throughout different eras and regions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Dorrah

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Dorrah.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Dorrah was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Dorrah has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Dorrah was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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