Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Doris
GirlGreek· “Dorian woman”
- Meaning
- Dorian woman
- Origin
- Greek
- Pronunciation
- DOR-ihs
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,909
- US babies 2025
- 58
- Best rank
- #6 (1929)
- Peak year
- 1928
Meaning and origin of Doris
Doris is a Greek name that means “Dorian woman”.
Doris comes from Greek and means a Dorian woman, from the Dorians, one of the major peoples of ancient Greece. In Greek mythology, Doris was a sea nymph, the wife of Nereus and the mother of the Nereids, the sea nymphs of the Mediterranean. The name became popular in the English-speaking world in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and it is closely associated with the actress and singer Doris Day. Doris now has a vintage charm, and it is a classic that seems ready for revival.
Popularity over time
Doris 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 113 different years. Its best national rank was #6 in 1929, and the most babies received it in 1928, when 16,575 were named Doris. In 2025, 58 babies were named Doris, and it ranked #2,909 nationally. That is 32% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #14 in 1920, #74 in 1950, #617 in 1980, #1,680 in 2000, #2,676 in 2010, and #2,909 in 2025. Of the 462,548 US girls named Doris since records began, 33% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1930s come next, with 110,658 babies. Since 2010, 1,429 more have been named Doris.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Lois and Lorraine.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Doris ranked highest in New York and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New York | #1885 | 6 |
| California | #1988 | 10 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Doris is usually pronounced DOR-ihs, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with D and ends in “-is”.
Middle names for Doris
A few middle names that flow with Doris: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Doris
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Lists that include Doris
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Doris mean?
Doris is a Greek name that means “Dorian woman”.
What is the origin of the name Doris?
Doris has Greek roots. Doris comes from Greek and means a Dorian woman, from the Dorians, one of the major peoples of ancient Greece.
Is Doris a popular name?
Not especially. Doris ranked #2,909 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Doris a boy or girl name?
Doris is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Doris?
Doris is usually pronounced DOR-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