A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Dulcie since 1885
Babies named Dulcie per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1968, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Dulcie's real moment was 1889.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 35 |
| 1890s | 145 |
| 1900s | 103 |
| 1910s | 198 |
| 1920s | 266 |
| 1930s | 143 |
| 1940s | 104 |
| 1950s | 108 |
| 1960s | 130 |
| 1970s | 176 |
| 1980s | 60 |
| 1990s | 33 |
| 2000s | 61 |
| 2010s | 52 |
| 2020s | 33 |
Meaning & origin
Dulcie is a name that evokes sweetness and charm, rooted in the Latin 'dulcis.' It first appeared in U.S. records in 1885 and peaked in popularity in 1889, ranking 10,917 in 2025 with an estimated 1 in 200,908 newborns given the name. After a long period of obscurity, Dulcie has been steadily rising in use since 1997, reflecting a broader revival of vintage names from the 1880s. While no top states currently show a concentration, its gentle sound and literary echoes make it a distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with historical depth and a bright, feminine aura.
Dulcie derives from the Latin 'dulcis' meaning 'sweet.' It entered English usage in the 19th century, possibly influenced by the French 'douce' or as a feminine form of the Roman surname 'Dulcius.' The name saw modest use in England and the United States, particularly in the late 1800s, before declining in popularity. It has seen a slight revival in recent decades, especially in Australia and New Zealand.
“Dulcie” around the world
Where Dulcie lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Dulce, Duls, Cece
Variants: Dulcea, Dulcina, Dulcinea, Douce
Sibling names for Dulcie
Names that share Dulcie's style, for a brother or sister.
