Doris is a name of Greek origin that means "gift of the sea". It was traditionally given to girls born near the coast or with family ties to the sea. The name has been popular in English-speaking countries since the late 19th century, although it peaked in popularity during the early 20th century. Some notable figures who have borne this name include Doris Day, an American actress and singer, and Doris Lessing, a British writer and Nobel laureate. Despite its historical popularity, however, the name Doris has become less common in recent years, perhaps due to its association with older generations. Nevertheless, it remains a unique and meaningful choice for parents looking for a name with a classic yet distinctive sound.
The name Doris has a fascinating history of popularity in the United States over the past century. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it was relatively uncommon, with fewer than ten babies being named Doris each year between 1892 and 1907.
However, starting in 1908, there was a significant increase in popularity for the name Doris. That year saw 13 births, which more than doubled from the previous year's total of five births. This upward trend continued throughout the early 1910s, reaching an all-time high with 126 births in 1924.
Doris remained quite popular throughout the 1920s and early 1930s, with at least 80 babies being named Doris each year. However, after peaking in popularity during the late 1920s, there was a gradual decline in usage over time.
The name Doris continued to be used consistently through the mid-20th century, with between five and twenty births each year from 1940 until around 1960. However, it began to fall out of favor during this period, as indicated by the decreasing number of babies being named Doris annually.
In recent decades, the name Doris has become quite rare in the United States. There have been fewer than ten births each year since 1972, and only five or fewer since 1983. Overall, there have been a total of 3,241 babies born in the United States named Doris between 1880 and present day.
Despite its decline in popularity, the name Doris still has historical significance as one of the most popular names for girls during the early to mid-20th century.