Dorsey Unisex

Popularity: — · Trend: → Stable

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: DOR-see //ˈdɔːrsi//

Origin: Irish; English

Meaning: Irish: 'from the marsh'; English: 'descendant of Dorsey'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Dorsey has its roots in the Old French surname "D'Orsay," which translates to "from Orsay." The name Orsay itself is derived from a place in France, likely originating from the Gallo-Roman name "Auretius," which is linked to the Latin word "aureus," meaning "golden." As the name transitioned into English, it underwent various phonetic changes, eventually becoming Dorsey. The adoption of surnames in England became more common during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, which facilitated the integration of many French names into the English lexicon.

Historically, the name Dorsey can be traced back to the medieval period, with records of individuals bearing the name appearing in England by the 13th century. Notably, the name has been associated with various landowners and figures in English history, particularly in the regions of Lincolnshire and Yorkshire.

The surname's presence in historical documents, such as land grants and tax records, reflects its established status during the Middle Ages. Additionally, the name has been linked to notable figures in literature and the arts, contributing to its historical significance.

Culturally, the name Dorsey carries connotations of nobility and heritage, reflecting its origins tied to geographic locations. The association with land and place in surnames often denotes a connection to family lineage and social standing, which has helped the name endure through generations.

Variants and diminutives of the name, such as Dorse, have emerged over time, although the primary form remains prominent in historical records. Overall, Dorsey encapsulates a blend of linguistic evolution, historical significance, and cultural resonance that underscores its enduring legacy.

Sibling suggestions

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

DorianDarcyDawsonDustinDerekDamon

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Dorsey. 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.

DarcyDorianDawsonDustinDarrenDerekDamon

U.S. Historical Usage

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

Dorsey has ranked as high as #901 nationally, which occurred in 1916, and has been most popular in Georgia, West Virginia, Virginia, Missouri, and North Carolina.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Dorsey 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 Dorsey 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 Dorsey.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2018 5 5 0
2017 6 6 0
2016 5 5 0
2014 6 6 0
2012 8 8 0
2011 5 5 0
2009 6 6 0
2008 12 12 0
2007 11 11 0
2006 7 7 0
2005 5 5 0
2004 11 11 0
2003 14 14 0
2002 13 13 0
2001 9 9 0
2000 10 10 0
1999 5 5 0
1998 10 10 0
1997 10 10 0
1996 11 11 0
1995 9 9 0
1994 12 6 6
1993 19 14 5
1992 26 19 7
1991 10 10 0
1990 15 15 0
1989 19 19 0
1988 27 27 0
1987 12 12 0
1986 14 14 0
1985 22 17 5
1984 14 14 0
1983 33 27 6
1982 26 21 5
1981 34 27 7
1980 24 24 0
1979 30 21 9
1978 21 16 5
1977 28 28 0
1976 28 23 5
1975 27 21 6
1974 31 25 6
1973 35 29 6
1972 37 29 8
1971 38 38 0
1970 47 35 12
1969 37 26 11
1968 40 29 11
1967 29 22 7
1966 46 46 0
1965 55 43 12
1964 47 39 8
1963 55 44 11
1962 57 43 14
1961 56 46 10
1960 79 60 19
1959 49 39 10
1958 68 58 10
1957 56 41 15
1956 69 62 7
1955 70 63 7
1954 90 78 12
1953 78 61 17
1952 82 63 19
1951 97 82 15
1950 67 57 10
1949 79 64 15
1948 84 73 11
1947 98 87 11
1946 76 68 8
1945 74 66 8
1944 89 72 17
1943 88 75 13
1942 100 82 18
1941 89 78 11
1940 94 86 8
1939 76 62 14
1938 88 80 8
1937 78 65 13
1936 80 68 12
1935 79 73 6
1934 94 81 13
1933 83 69 14
1932 101 91 10
1931 107 82 25
1930 96 89 7
1929 103 93 10
1928 99 84 15
1927 109 90 19
1926 87 73 14
1925 101 88 13
1924 112 92 20
1923 116 98 18
1922 114 91 23
1921 115 100 15
1920 129 118 11
1919 114 100 14
1918 124 106 18
1917 119 110 9
1916 176 160 16
1915 107 94 13
1914 75 67 8
1913 61 50 11
1912 51 51 0
1911 20 20 0
1910 15 15 0
1909 20 20 0
1908 24 24 0
1907 21 21 0
1906 19 19 0
1905 21 16 5
1904 21 21 0
1903 17 17 0
1902 11 11 0
1901 11 11 0
1900 25 25 0
1899 12 12 0
1898 20 20 0
1897 13 13 0
1896 20 20 0
1895 16 16 0
1894 28 28 0
1893 15 15 0
1892 10 10 0
1891 14 14 0
1890 17 17 0
1889 25 25 0
1888 17 17 0
1887 11 11 0
1886 12 12 0
1885 8 8 0
1884 15 15 0
1883 15 15 0
1882 13 13 0
1881 9 9 0
1880 14 14 0

Top States for Dorsey (1983)

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
GA 5
100%