Dorcas
Dorcas is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Gazelle or doe.
Origin and history
Dorcas is a female given name of Ancient Greek origin, translating to gazelle. It is famously associated with Tabitha in the New Testament, who was noted for her good works and charity. While historically popular among Puritans and early American settlers, it is a rare choice in contemporary U.S. usage.
Popularity in the United States
7,268 babies in the United States have been named Dorcas since 1880. It ranks #1978 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1937.
States where it is most popular
- PA (23.9 %)
- NY (11.6 %)
- NC (11.5 %)
- TX (9.4 %)
- OH (8.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 104 |
| 1890-1900 | 145 |
| 1900-1910 | 226 |
| 1910-1920 | 771 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,211 |
| 1930-1940 | 886 |
| 1940-1950 | 750 |
| 1950-1960 | 796 |
| 1960-1970 | 710 |
| 1970-1980 | 419 |
| 1980-1990 | 334 |
| 1990-2000 | 275 |
| 2000-2010 | 221 |
| 2010-2019 | 256 |
| 2020-2029 | 164 |
Famous people named Dorcas
- Dorcas Hoar: Historical figure
Nicknames
Dorie
Fun facts
- Dorcas is the Greek translation of the Aramaic name Tabitha, both meaning gazelle.
- The name became popular among English Puritans in the 16th and 17th centuries due to its biblical associations with charity.