Dorris is a unique and distinctive given name of American origin. It is derived from the English surname Doris, which was originally a pet form of the Latin name Dorothy. The name Dorothy itself comes from the Greek elements doron, meaning "gift," and therasia, signifying "of the sea." Thus, the combined meaning of Dorris is "sea gift."
The name Dorris gained popularity during the late 19th to mid-20th centuries in the United States. It was often used as a feminine given name but has also been recorded as a masculine name occasionally. Despite its rarity today, Dorris once enjoyed moderate success among parents seeking distinctive names for their children.
Some notable figures with the name Dorris include American poet and author Dorris Lessing (1919-2013), who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2007, and Canadian painter Doris McCarthy (1910-2000), known for her vibrant landscapes. These individuals demonstrate that although uncommon today, the name Dorris has been carried by accomplished and notable figures throughout history.
In summary, Dorris is an American name of Latin origin with a unique meaning derived from its roots in Greek elements. While not widely used currently, it was once popular among parents looking for distinctive names for their children. Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried this name, contributing to its enduring legacy.
Based on the statistics provided for the name Dorris in the United States between 1888 and 1990, we can observe several trends over time.
From 1888 to 1924, the number of births with the name Dorris steadily increased, reaching a peak of 304 births in 1924. This suggests that during this period, the name Dorris was becoming increasingly popular among parents choosing names for their daughters.
However, after 1924, the popularity of the name Dorris began to decline. Between 1925 and 1967, the number of births with the name Dorris fluctuated but generally decreased, reaching a low point of 8 births in 1969.
After 1969, the name Dorris continued to be relatively uncommon, with an average of fewer than 10 births per year between 1970 and 1990. The highest number of births during this period was 12 in 1970, while the lowest was 5 in both 1987 and 1990.
In total, over the course of these statistics (from 1888 to 1990), there were 7,360 births with the name Dorris recorded in the United States. This name may have once been popular but has since become less common, perhaps due to shifting trends and preferences in baby naming.