Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Dorian
BoyGreek· “from the Dorian people of Greece”
- Meaning
- from the Dorian people of Greece
- Origin
- Greek
- Pronunciation
- DAWR-ee-uhn
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #539
- US babies 2025
- 557
- Best rank
- #398 (2000)
- Peak year
- 2008
Meaning and origin of Dorian
Dorian is a Greek name that means “from the Dorian people of Greece”.
Dorian comes from the Greek Dorieus, meaning "of the Dorians", one of the major peoples of ancient Greece, who took their name from the region of Doris. The Dorian mode in music also carries the name. As a given name it was made famous by Oscar Wilde's novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, whose hero stays young while his portrait ages and shows his corruption. Despite that dark story, the name has been used steadily since the twentieth century and has a romantic, artistic air. It sounds smooth and sophisticated. Dor and Rian are occasional nicknames.
Popularity over time
Dorian first appears in US Social Security records in 1915. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 71 different years, starting in 1946. Its best national rank was #398 in 2000, and the most babies received it in 2008, when 641 were named Dorian. In 2025, 557 babies were named Dorian, and it ranked #539 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #3,574 in 1920, #1,090 in 1950, #675 in 1980, #398 in 2000, #503 in 2010, and #539 in 2025. Of the 24,187 US boys named Dorian since records began, 24% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 5,145 babies. Since 2010, 8,306 more have been named Dorian.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Noe, Davion, Aldo, Jacoby, and Brodie.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Dorian ranked highest in New Mexico, Arizona, and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | #200 | 10 |
| Arizona | #346 | 22 |
| California | #359 | 97 |
| Nevada | #403 | 7 |
| Oregon | #414 | 9 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 96% of US babies named Dorian over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Dorian is usually pronounced DAWR-ee-uhn, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with D and ends in “-an”.
Middle names for Dorian
A few middle names that flow with Dorian: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Dorian
Similar names
Sebastian Boy
suh-BAS-chuhn
“from Sebaste; venerable” · Latin
#16
Damian Boy
DAY-mee-uhn
“to tame” · Greek
#109
Esteban Boy
ehs-TEH-bahn
“crown, garland” · Spanish
#461
Lionel Boy
LY-uh-nul
“little lion” · French
#659
Tristan Boy
TRIS-tihn
“uncertain; from Celtic Drust” · French
#309
Donovan Boy
DON-uh-vun
“dark brown” · Irish
#496
Johnathan Boy
JON-uh-thun
“God has given” · Hebrew
#508
Fabian Boy
FAY-bee-uhn
“from the Roman family name Fabius” · Latin
#468
Sullivan Boy
SUH-lih-vuhn
“descendant of the dark-eyed one” · Irish
#314
Finnegan Boy
FIH-nuh-guhn
“descendant of the fair one” · Irish
#526
Aryan Boy
AR-yun
“noble” · Sanskrit
#872
Ocean Unisex
OH-shuhn
“ocean, the sea” · English
#720
Lists that include Dorian
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Dorian mean?
Dorian is a Greek name that means “from the Dorian people of Greece”.
What is the origin of the name Dorian?
Dorian has Greek roots. Dorian comes from the Greek Dorieus, meaning "of the Dorians", one of the major peoples of ancient Greece, who took their name from the region of Doris.
Is Dorian a popular name?
Yes. Dorian ranked #539 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Dorian a boy or girl name?
Dorian is mainly a boy's name. About 96% of US babies named Dorian over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Dorian?
Dorian is usually pronounced DAWR-ee-uhn. 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