Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Delores
GirlSpanish, Latin· “variant of Dolores, sorrows”
- Meaning
- variant of Dolores, sorrows
- Origin
- Spanish, Latin
- Pronunciation
- duh-LOR-is
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #5,771
- US babies 2025
- 21
- Best rank
- #51 (1934)
- Peak year
- 1932
Meaning and origin of Delores
Delores is a Spanish and Latin name that is usually said to mean “variant of Dolores, sorrows”.
Delores is a spelling of Dolores, the Spanish word for sorrows, from the title María de los Dolores, Our Lady of Sorrows. The name refers to the sorrows of the Virgin Mary. Dolores was popular in the United States in the early to mid-twentieth century, and Delores is a common American spelling. It is said duh-LOR-is, with the stress on the middle syllable. Dee, Lola and Lolita are traditional nicknames. Today it has a vintage character and a strong Catholic heritage.
Other spellings with the same sound: Dolores.
Popularity over time
Delores first appears in US Social Security records in 1890. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 84 different years, starting in 1899. Its best national rank was #51 in 1934, and the most babies received it in 1932, when 4,152 were named Delores. In 2025, 21 babies were named Delores, and it ranked #5,771 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #241 in 1920, #129 in 1950, #862 in 1980, #3,539 in 2000, #8,388 in 2010, and #5,771 in 2025. Of the 117,821 US girls named Delores since records began, 32% were born in the 1930s, its biggest decade. The 1940s come next, with 28,504 babies. Since 2010, 284 more have been named Delores.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Norma.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Delores is usually pronounced duh-LOR-is, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with D and ends in “-es”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Dolores.
Middle names for Delores
A few middle names that flow with Delores: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Delores
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Lists that include Delores
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Delores mean?
Delores is a Spanish and Latin name that is usually said to mean “variant of Dolores, sorrows”.
What is the origin of the name Delores?
Delores has Spanish and Latin roots. Delores is a spelling of Dolores, the Spanish word for sorrows, from the title María de los Dolores, Our Lady of Sorrows.
Is Delores a popular name?
Not especially. Delores ranked #5,771 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Delores a boy or girl name?
Delores is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Delores?
Delores is usually pronounced duh-LOR-is. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings