Dory Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: DOR-ee //ˈdɔːri//
Origin: Greek; English
Meaning: Greek: gift; English: short form of names like Dorothy
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Dory is derived from the Greek name "Dorothea," which means "gift of God" (from "doron," meaning "gift," and "theos," meaning "God"). The name evolved through various linguistic stages, transitioning from Greek to Latin as "Dorothea," and later into Old French as "Dorete" before entering the English language.
The diminutive form "Dory" emerged as a more casual and affectionate variant, often used in English-speaking contexts since the 19th century. Historically, the name Dorothea has been borne by several notable figures, including saints and early Christian martyrs.
One of the most recognized is Saint Dorothea of Caesarea, who was martyred in the early 4th century during the reign of Emperor Diocletian. Her story was popularized in various hagiographies, contributing to the name's enduring presence in Christian tradition.
The name also appears in literary works, such as in the writings of the early church fathers and later in Renaissance literature, which helped maintain its visibility through the centuries. Culturally, the name Dory and its variants have been associated with themes of divine grace and benevolence, reflecting the significance of gifts in religious and cultural narratives.
The name's gentle sound and positive connotation have made it a favored choice in various contexts. Additionally, the character Dory from the animated films "Finding Nemo" and "Finding Dory" has further popularized the name in contemporary culture, although this aspect is not the focus of its historical significance.
Overall, Dory encapsulates a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution, historical milestones, and cultural resonance.
Famous people named Dory
In this section, you will find notable people named Dory. 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 Dory who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Dory 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.
Dory Previn is a singer-songwriter best known for On My Way to Where, Dory Previn, and Mythical Kings and Iguanas.
Dory Funk Jr. is a professional wrestler best known for his time in the NWA and as a former NWA World Heavyweight Champion.
Fictional characters named Dory
The following list of fictional characters named Dory 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.
Dory is a fictional character from the animated film Finding Nemo. She is a friendly and forgetful blue tang fish who helps Marlin find his son, Nemo.
Dory is a fictional character from the animated film Finding Dory. She is a determined blue tang fish who embarks on a journey to find her long-lost parents.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Dory, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Dory. 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.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Dory was first seen in the United States in 1919.
Dory has ranked as high as #2926 nationally, which occurred in 1972, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, and California.
In the past 5 years the name Dory has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Dory 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 Dory 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 Dory.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 2024 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 2023 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 2019 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 2018 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 2017 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 2016 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 2011 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 2009 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 2008 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 2007 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 2006 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| 2005 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 2004 | 16 | 0 | 16 |
| 2003 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 2001 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 2000 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1999 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 1998 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 1997 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1996 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1993 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1992 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 1991 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| 1990 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1989 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1988 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 1987 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 1986 | 14 | 5 | 9 |
| 1985 | 18 | 5 | 13 |
| 1984 | 13 | 6 | 7 |
| 1983 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 1982 | 11 | 5 | 6 |
| 1981 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 1980 | 17 | 0 | 17 |
| 1979 | 18 | 7 | 11 |
| 1978 | 30 | 6 | 24 |
| 1977 | 27 | 0 | 27 |
| 1976 | 28 | 6 | 22 |
| 1975 | 18 | 0 | 18 |
| 1974 | 37 | 10 | 27 |
| 1973 | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| 1972 | 46 | 14 | 32 |
| 1971 | 33 | 6 | 27 |
| 1970 | 35 | 11 | 24 |
| 1969 | 26 | 5 | 21 |
| 1968 | 21 | 5 | 16 |
| 1967 | 18 | 0 | 18 |
| 1966 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 1965 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| 1964 | 41 | 7 | 34 |
| 1963 | 17 | 5 | 12 |
| 1962 | 29 | 0 | 29 |
| 1961 | 25 | 0 | 25 |
| 1960 | 33 | 5 | 28 |
| 1959 | 19 | 0 | 19 |
| 1958 | 16 | 0 | 16 |
| 1957 | 21 | 0 | 21 |
| 1956 | 29 | 6 | 23 |
| 1955 | 25 | 0 | 25 |
| 1954 | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| 1953 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1952 | 24 | 5 | 19 |
| 1951 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 1950 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| 1949 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1947 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1946 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 1919 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
Top States for Dory (1977)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 5 |