Holding steady.
Popularity of Dossie since 1881
Babies named Dossie per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1915, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Dossie's real moment was 1881.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 31 | 0 |
| 1890s | 34 | 16 |
| 1900s | 64 | 22 |
| 1910s | 143 | 88 |
| 1920s | 144 | 123 |
| 1930s | 96 | 96 |
| 1940s | 46 | 65 |
| 1950s | 5 | 45 |
| 1960s | 5 | 5 |
| 1970s | 0 | 6 |
| 1980s | 0 | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Dossie is a name with a whisper of a history, first appearing in U.S. records in 1881. Its 1-in-N rate that year was approximately 1 in 72,000, reflecting its extreme rarity even at its peak. The name has never entered the top 1000, and its usage has remained stable over the decades, never exceeding a few births per year. The peak year, 1881, saw the highest incidence, after which the name gradually faded but never entirely disappeared. Dossie's origins are speculative; it may be a diminutive of Dorothy, derived from the Greek 'gift of God,' or a variant of the English surname Doss. The name lacks any consistent spelling variants or established nicknames. Given its obscurity, Dossie has not been borne by any widely known figures. Its enduring but minimal presence suggests a name chosen for familial or sentimental reasons, rather than fashion.
Dossie is a rare given name that first appeared in the late 19th century. It may have originated as a pet form of Dorothy, which itself comes from Greek Dorothea meaning 'gift of God.' Alternatively, it could be a variant of the surname Doss, which is of English origin. Its usage has been scarce and predominantly in the United States.
Sibling names for Dossie
Names that share Dossie's style, for a brother or sister.
