Holding steady.
Popularity of Dulcinea since 1921
Babies named Dulcinea per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 12 |
| 1930s | 6 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 6 |
| 1970s | 62 |
| 1980s | 46 |
| 1990s | 40 |
| 2000s | 78 |
| 2010s | 59 |
| 2020s | 16 |
Meaning & origin
Dulcinea is a literary invention with a distinctly romantic and idealistic aura, yet its real-world usage remains exceedingly rare. First recorded in U.S. data in 1921, the name saw its highest usage in 2006, though still not enough to enter the national rankings. Its trajectory since then has remained stable, appearing sporadically in birth records. The name carries the weight of Cervantes's masterpiece but has not seen widespread adoption, making it a truly unique choice with deep literary roots.
Dulcinea is a name coined by Miguel de Cervantes for his novel 'Don Quixote' (1605), where Dulcinea del Toboso is the idealized lady love of the protagonist. It is derived from the Spanish word 'dulce,' meaning 'sweet,' with the suffix '-inea' creating a poetic, feminine form. The name has been used occasionally in Spanish-speaking countries and gained some attention in the English-speaking world as a literary reference.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Dulce, Cinea, Dulci
Variants: Dulcina, Dulcine
Sibling names for Dulcinea
Names that share Dulcinea's style, for a brother or sister.
