Dorcas is a unique and uncommon female given name of Greek origin. It is derived from the Greek word "dorcas," which means "gazelle." In Greek mythology, the gazelle was often associated with grace, speed, and beauty, making it a fitting namesake for a girl.
The name Dorcas first appeared in the New Testament of the Bible, where it belonged to a pious woman who lived in Joppa. This city is now located in modern-day Israel. The Bible describes Dorcas as being known throughout the region for her good deeds and charitable acts. She was also known for making clothing for those in need.
The name Dorcas has been relatively uncommon throughout history, but it has appeared occasionally over the centuries. It was sometimes used by early Christians as a way to honor the biblical figure of Dorcas or to symbolize the values she represented.
In terms of its popularity, Dorcas does not rank among the most common names today in any country. However, it is still used sporadically around the world, particularly in areas with strong Christian traditions.
Overall, the name Dorcas is unique and distinctive, with a meaningful origin and history behind it. Its Greek derivation gives it a certain elegance, while its biblical association lends it a sense of piety and virtue. Despite its rarity, Dorcas remains a beautiful and significant name choice for parents looking for something special for their daughter.
The given statistics illustrate the annual birth counts of the name Dorcas in the United States between 1880 and 2023.
Over this period of 144 years, the name Dorcas experienced significant fluctuations in popularity. The highest number of births recorded for this name was in 1916 with 114 births. This peak was followed by a steady decline until the mid-20th century, during which time the number of births per year ranged between approximately 30 to 80.
Starting from the late 1970s, there was a noticeable decrease in the popularity of the name Dorcas, with fewer than 50 births recorded each year. This trend continued into the 21st century, with the lowest point reached in 2001 with only 18 births.
Despite this overall decline in popularity, there have been some recent fluctuations. For instance, there was a slight increase between 2017 and 2018, from 22 to 35 births respectively. However, the most recent data available (up to 2023) shows that the popularity of the name Dorcas has continued its downward trend, with only 22 births recorded.
In total, over the course of these 144 years, there have been 7,211 babies named Dorcas in the United States. This data provides a fascinating glimpse into the shifting trends and patterns of naming practices across different periods in American history.