Doran is a name of Irish origin, derived from the Irish surname O'Dorain or O'Dochartaigh, which means "son of Dochartaigh." Dochartaigh is a personal name that means "swift with spears," suggesting someone who was quick and skilled in battle. The name Doran has been traditionally used as both a first name and a last name in Ireland.
The earliest known use of the name Doran can be traced back to the 13th century in Ireland, where it was borne by an O'Dorain family that settled in County Tyrone. Since then, the name has spread beyond Ireland and can now be found in various countries around the world.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the name Doran. For instance, Francis Doran (1829-1894) was an Irish nationalist politician who served as a Member of Parliament for County Tyrone. Another prominent figure is Richard Doran (born 1950), an American businessman and former CEO of Tyco International.
In literature, the name Doran has been used by authors such as C.S. Lewis in his "Chronicles of Narnia" series. In the story "The Horse and His Boy," a character named Shasta, who is later revealed to be Prince Corin, has a brother named Doran.
Overall, the name Doran has a rich history that dates back centuries, with its roots firmly planted in Ireland. Despite its Irish origins, however, the name has since been adopted by people of various backgrounds and nationalities, making it a truly global moniker.
The name Doran has been given to babies born in the United States annually since at least 1912, with a total of 2,637 births recorded over this period until 2023. The popularity of the name has fluctuated significantly throughout these years.
In the early decades, the number of yearly births with the name Doran ranged from a low of 6 in 1912 to a peak of 41 in 1952. From the late 1950s onwards, there was a noticeable decline in the popularity of the name, with fewer than 30 births per year occurring between 1960 and 1978.
However, since 1979, there has been a resurgence in the usage of the name Doran. There were over 20 births annually for most years between 1980 and 2005, with peaks of 40 births in 1995 and 26 births in 2002. Although the popularity has somewhat decreased since then, with fewer than 20 births per year on average from 2006 to 2023, there are still several babies named Doran each year.
Overall, these statistics demonstrate that while the name Doran has not been among the most popular in the United States, it has maintained a consistent presence throughout the past century.