Doris is a name of Greek origin, derived from the ancient Greek word "doron," which means "gift." It was traditionally used as a masculine name in ancient Greece, but it has since evolved into a feminine name.
The name Doris first gained popularity in the United States during the late 19th century. In 1880, it was estimated that there were around 4,000 women named Doris living in the US. However, its peak of popularity came during the early to mid-20th century. According to data from the Social Security Administration, Doris was among the top 100 names for girls born in the US between 1900 and 1960.
One notable figure who contributed to the name's rise in popularity is actress Doris Day. Born as Doris Mary Ann Kappelhoff in 1922, she became a popular singer and film star during the mid-20th century. Her success helped to bring attention to the name Doris and may have influenced parents' decisions when naming their daughters.
Over time, the name Doris has been used by various notable individuals across different fields, including literature, politics, and entertainment. For instance, Doris Lessing was a British writer who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2007, while Doris Fisher is an American businesswoman and co-founder of Gap Inc.
Today, while not as commonly used as it once was, the name Doris still holds historical significance and continues to be chosen by some parents for their daughters. It remains a classic and timeless option that evokes a sense of elegance and sophistication.
The name Doris has seen a significant rise and fall in popularity over the years in the United States. From just nine babies named Doris in 1880, its usage grew steadily until it peaked in 1927 with 16,512 births that year. This marked the highest point for the name's popularity, which subsequently began to decline.
Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, the number of babies named Doris continued to decrease, with the lowest point being reached in 1947, when only 5,547 girls were given this name. This downward trend persisted until the mid-20th century, with fewer than 500 births per year from the late 1950s onwards.
In recent years, Doris has seen a resurgence in popularity, albeit on a much smaller scale compared to its peak in the early 20th century. Between 2014 and 2023, there were between 74 and 86 babies named Doris each year in the United States.
In total, from 1880 to 2023, there have been approximately 462,394 births of girls named Doris in the United States.