A 1970s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Dori since 1946
Babies named Dori per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1961, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Dori's real moment was 1973.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 40 |
| 1950s | 858 |
| 1960s | 1,662 |
| 1970s | 1,228 |
| 1980s | 480 |
| 1990s | 258 |
| 2000s | 237 |
| 2010s | 113 |
| 2020s | 76 |
Meaning & origin
Dori is a sweet and simple name that feels both vintage and modern. First recorded in 1946, it saw its highest usage in the 1970s, peaking in 1973. After declining for decades, the name has been on a mild upswing since 2018, perhaps as part of the revival of short, 'o'-ending girls' names. Though never common, Dori retains a gentle, approachable charm. Its top state usage is too sparse to report, but the name has a friendly, open sound that fits well with contemporary trends favoring concise names. As a diminutive of Dorothy or Dora, it carries the Greek meaning 'gift of God', though its actual usage has often been independent of those longer forms.
The name Dori is likely a diminutive form of Dorothy or Dora, both derived from the Greek name Dorothea, meaning 'gift of God'. Alternatively, it may be a variant of the Greek name Dory. Dori emerged as an independent given name in the English-speaking world in the 20th century, with early recorded usage in the mid-1940s.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Dori
Names that share Dori's style, for a brother or sister.
