A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Dot since 1883
Babies named Dot per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1935, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Dot's real moment was 1888.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 39 |
| 1890s | 60 |
| 1900s | 73 |
| 1910s | 128 |
| 1920s | 321 |
| 1930s | 363 |
| 1940s | 189 |
| 1950s | 86 |
| 1960s | 50 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 15 |
| 2020s | 46 |
Meaning & origin
Dot is a vintage nickname name that peaked in the late 19th century, ranking #8860 in 2025 after a long period of low usage. Its highest popularity came in 1888, when it was among the more common diminutive names, but it fell out of fashion in the mid-20th century. Since 2016, however, it has been on a gradual rise, possibly influenced by the revival of old-fashioned nicknames. As a short form of Dorothy, it shares a classic heritage with other pet names like Daisy and Dolly. The name is now extremely rare, with only about 1 in 146,115 girls given the name in 2024, but its upward trajectory suggests a possible comeback among parents seeking a sweet, retro nickname as a full name.
Dot originated as a diminutive of Dorothy, which itself derives from Greek Dorothea, meaning 'gift of God'. Dorothy was popular in the English-speaking world from the 16th century onward, and Dot emerged as a common nickname in the 19th century. It saw its highest popularity in the 1880s and 1890s, often as a familiar form rather than as an independent given name.
Sibling names for Dot
Names that share Dot's style, for a brother or sister.
