Holding steady.
Popularity of Dorcus since 1917
Babies named Dorcus per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1920, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Dorcus's real moment was 1931.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 15 |
| 1920s | 49 |
| 1930s | 62 |
| 1940s | 30 |
| 1950s | 57 |
| 1960s | 53 |
| 1970s | 11 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Dorcus is a name of Greek origin that appears in the New Testament, where Dorcas is a charitable woman raised from the dead by Peter. The name comes from the Greek word for 'gazelle', evoking grace and swiftness. After its peak in 1931, it declined sharply; by 2025 it is vanishingly rare, typically not ranking in the top 1000. Because of its strong biblical associations but rare modern usage, Dorcus offers a distinctive choice for families seeking an obscure but meaningful name. It has remained extremely stable, with no surge in recent decades, and its prior history shows limited geographical concentration.
Dorcus is a Latinized form of the Greek name Dorkas, meaning 'gazelle' or 'doe'. In the New Testament, Dorcas (Tabitha in Aramaic) was a disciple known for her good works and charity, raised from the dead by Peter. The name was used occasionally in Puritan England and later in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Dory, Doe, Dorrie
Variants: Dorcas, Dorkas
Sibling names for Dorcus
Names that share Dorcus's style, for a brother or sister.
