Dolores Girl

Popularity: #880 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: doh-LOH-res //dəˈloʊrɛs//

Origin: Spanish; Latin

Meaning: Spanish: sorrows; Latin: pain

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Dolores has its roots in the Spanish language, deriving from the term "Nuestra Señora de los Dolores," which translates to "Our Lady of Sorrows." This title refers to a Catholic devotion to the Virgin Mary, particularly emphasizing her suffering and grief, especially in relation to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The name entered the English language through the influence of Spanish culture and the spread of Catholicism, particularly during the 19th century when Spanish names began to gain traction in English-speaking countries.

Historically, the name Dolores became more prominent in the 19th century, coinciding with the rise of Marian devotions in Catholicism. The Virgin Mary has been a significant figure in Christianity, and the specific devotion to her sorrows can be traced back to the Middle Ages, with formal recognition in the 17th century.

The name gained further recognition through literary works and religious texts, including translations of the Bible and other religious literature that highlighted the importance of Mary and her sorrows. Culturally, the name Dolores carries connotations of compassion and empathy, reflecting the sorrowful aspects of the Virgin Mary's life.

This emotional resonance has allowed the name to endure across generations. In addition, diminutive forms such as Lola have emerged, showcasing the name's adaptability within various cultural contexts.

Overall, Dolores remains a name steeped in religious significance and historical depth, symbolizing both sorrow and maternal strength.

Famous people named Dolores

In this section, you will find notable people named Dolores. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Dolores who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Dolores who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Dolores O'Riordan is a singer and songwriter best known for being the lead vocalist of The Cranberries, and for songs like 'Zombie' and 'Linger'.

Dolores Huerta is an activist best known for co-founding the United Farm Workers and her work in labor rights.

Fictional characters named Dolores

The following list of fictional characters named Dolores is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Dolores Umbridge is a fictional character from the book series Harry Potter. She is a Ministry of Magic official known for her cruel and authoritarian methods in Hogwarts.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Dolores, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

ClaraIsabellaSofiaGabrielaLuciaMarisol

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Dolores. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

DahliaDeloresDoraLolaDollyDariaDaphne

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Dolores was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Dolores has ranked as high as #25 nationally, which occurred in 1930, and has been most popular in Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois, California, and Texas.

In the past 5 years the name Dolores has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Dolores is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Dolores was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Dolores.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 68 0 68
2024 50 0 50
2023 68 0 68
2022 78 0 78
2021 56 0 56
2020 55 0 55
2019 41 0 41
2018 38 0 38
2017 49 0 49
2016 50 0 50
2015 33 0 33
2014 42 0 42
2013 38 0 38
2012 37 0 37
2011 40 0 40
2010 33 0 33
2009 40 0 40
2008 62 0 62
2007 61 0 61
2006 87 0 87
2005 47 0 47
2004 64 0 64
2003 62 0 62
2002 84 0 84
2001 92 0 92
2000 88 0 88
1999 87 0 87
1998 105 0 105
1997 104 0 104
1996 133 0 133
1995 124 0 124
1994 126 0 126
1993 160 0 160
1992 149 5 144
1991 135 0 135
1990 173 0 173
1989 188 6 182
1988 147 0 147
1987 192 0 192
1986 174 0 174
1985 199 0 199
1984 177 0 177
1983 218 0 218
1982 280 0 280
1981 282 0 282
1980 284 5 279
1979 296 6 290
1978 281 0 281
1977 295 0 295
1976 324 0 324
1975 294 5 289
1974 305 0 305
1973 380 8 372
1972 402 5 397
1971 478 0 478
1970 573 10 563
1969 593 7 586
1968 600 6 594
1967 683 5 678
1966 776 5 771
1965 837 9 828
1964 1,088 6 1,082
1963 1,121 10 1,111
1962 1,285 11 1,274
1961 1,348 8 1,340
1960 1,378 12 1,366
1959 1,433 15 1,418
1958 1,534 10 1,524
1957 1,580 8 1,572
1956 1,668 8 1,660
1955 1,783 5 1,778
1954 1,974 11 1,963
1953 1,996 18 1,978
1952 2,055 11 2,044
1951 2,159 18 2,141
1950 2,249 23 2,226
1949 2,485 21 2,464
1948 2,778 16 2,762
1947 3,092 21 3,071
1946 3,085 21 3,064
1945 2,721 17 2,704
1944 3,110 29 3,081
1943 3,716 18 3,698
1942 4,298 31 4,267
1941 4,418 34 4,384
1940 3,627 23 3,604
1939 4,010 30 3,980
1938 4,842 33 4,809
1937 5,607 39 5,568
1936 6,453 36 6,417
1935 7,431 56 7,375
1934 7,733 44 7,689
1933 8,064 42 8,022
1932 9,683 53 9,630
1931 10,854 47 10,807
1930 12,919 77 12,842
1929 11,562 54 11,508
1928 9,663 48 9,615
1927 6,806 37 6,769
1926 5,249 31 5,218
1925 4,176 31 4,145
1924 3,762 33 3,729
1923 3,392 23 3,369
1922 2,733 19 2,714
1921 2,574 16 2,558
1920 2,383 18 2,365
1919 1,922 11 1,911
1918 1,851 16 1,835
1917 1,580 18 1,562
1916 1,386 12 1,374
1915 1,285 5 1,280
1914 942 8 934
1913 706 0 706
1912 534 12 522
1911 363 0 363
1910 294 0 294
1909 220 0 220
1908 212 0 212
1907 192 0 192
1906 183 0 183
1905 142 0 142
1904 138 0 138
1903 114 0 114
1902 108 0 108
1901 68 0 68
1900 91 0 91
1899 64 0 64
1898 56 0 56
1897 48 0 48
1896 39 0 39
1895 41 0 41
1894 54 0 54
1893 31 0 31
1892 28 0 28
1891 25 0 25
1890 21 0 21
1889 18 0 18
1888 30 0 30
1887 14 0 14
1886 11 0 11
1885 11 0 11
1884 13 0 13
1883 14 0 14
1882 10 0 10
1881 10 0 10
1880 13 0 13

Top States for Dolores (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 11
52%
NY 5
24%
TX 5
24%