Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Dolores
GirlSpanish, Latin· “sorrows”
- Meaning
- sorrows
- Origin
- Spanish, Latin
- Pronunciation
- duh-LAWR-ihs
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #2,567
- US babies 2025
- 68
- Best rank
- #13 (1930)
- Peak year
- 1930
Meaning and origin of Dolores
Dolores is a Spanish and Latin name that means “sorrows”.
Dolores comes from the Spanish title María de los Dolores, "Mary of Sorrows," which honors the sorrows of the Virgin Mary in Catholic devotion. The word derives from Latin dolor, "pain" or "sorrow." Like Mercedes and Consuelo, it began as a Marian title and became a personal name across Spain and Latin America before spreading into general use in the United States. The labor leader Dolores Huerta is a notable bearer. It is said duh-LAWR-ihs. Lola, Lolita and Dee are traditional nicknames. Lola itself became a separate name through this route.
Other spellings with the same sound: Delores.
Popularity over time
Dolores has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 109 different years. Its best national rank was #13 in 1930, the same year it reached its highest count of 12,842 babies. In 2025, 68 babies were named Dolores, and it ranked #2,567 nationally. That is 106% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #110 in 1920, #139 in 1950, #655 in 1980, #1,926 in 2000, #4,422 in 2010, and #2,567 in 2025. Of the 211,440 US girls named Dolores since records began, 36% were born in the 1930s, its biggest decade. The 1920s come next, with 51,990 babies. Since 2010, 776 more have been named Dolores.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Norma, Geraldine, and Betty.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Dolores ranked highest in California, Texas, and Florida.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| California | #1677 | 13 |
| Texas | #1734 | 13 |
| Florida | #2245 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Dolores is usually pronounced duh-LAWR-ihs, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with D and ends in “-es”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Delores.
Middle names for Dolores
A few middle names that flow with Dolores: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Dolores
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Lists that include Dolores
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Dolores mean?
Dolores is a Spanish and Latin name that means “sorrows”.
What is the origin of the name Dolores?
Dolores has Spanish and Latin roots. Dolores comes from the Spanish title María de los Dolores, "Mary of Sorrows," which honors the sorrows of the Virgin Mary in Catholic devotion.
Is Dolores a popular name?
Not especially. Dolores ranked #2,567 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Dolores a boy or girl name?
Dolores is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Dolores?
Dolores is usually pronounced duh-LAWR-ihs. 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