The name Dolly carries a certain charm and vintage appeal that continues to resonate with parents today. But how popular is the name Dolly, and what’s behind its enduring appeal? Let’s delve into the meaning, history, popularity, and alternatives to this sweet and memorable moniker.
(Image of a baby girl with the name Dolly overlaid)
Dolly Name Popularity
How popular is the name Dolly? Here’s everything we know.
Analyzing historical data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), we can trace the trajectory of the name Dolly in the United States. The provided table offers a detailed year-by-year breakdown, revealing interesting trends.
| Year | Rank | # Births | % Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1910 | 355 | 82 | 0.0233% |
| 1911 | 372 | 76 | 0.0204% |
| 1912 | 342 | 138 | 0.0274% |
| 1913 | 360 | 137 | 0.0242% |
| 1914 | 373 | 158 | 0.0227% |
| 1915 | 360 | 240 | 0.0264% |
| 1916 | 362 | 248 | 0.0257% |
| 1917 | 384 | 227 | 0.0227% |
| 1918 | 343 | 322 | 0.03% |
| 1919 | 341 | 312 | 0.0298% |
| 1920 | 353 | 301 | 0.0271% |
| 1921 | 351 | 312 | 0.0272% |
| 1922 | 351 | 308 | 0.0276% |
| 1923 | 342 | 324 | 0.0289% |
| 1924 | 361 | 317 | 0.0273% |
| 1925 | 340 | 358 | 0.0317% |
| 1926 | 337 | 353 | 0.0321% |
| 1927 | 364 | 305 | 0.0276% |
| 1928 | 342 | 349 | 0.0326% |
| 1929 | 327 | 351 | 0.0339% |
| 1930 | 327 | 356 | 0.0341% |
| 1931 | 334 | 325 | 0.0329% |
| 1932 | 333 | 319 | 0.0323% |
| 1933 | 346 | 286 | 0.0307% |
| 1934 | 348 | 288 | 0.0298% |
| 1935 | 343 | 302 | 0.0311% |
| 1936 | 355 | 273 | 0.0283% |
| 1937 | 371 | 261 | 0.0265% |
| 1938 | 433 | 198 | 0.0193% |
| 1939 | 430 | 201 | 0.0198% |
| 1940 | 406 | 241 | 0.0227% |
| 1941 | 405 | 239 | 0.0212% |
| 1942 | 462 | 210 | 0.0166% |
| 1943 | 479 | 195 | 0.0149% |
| 1944 | 465 | 192 | 0.0155% |
| 1945 | 510 | 158 | 0.013% |
| 1946 | 486 | 214 | 0.0145% |
| 1947 | 525 | 205 | 0.0123% |
| 1948 | 486 | 228 | 0.0143% |
| 1949 | 502 | 210 | 0.0131% |
| 1950 | 504 | 219 | 0.0136% |
| 1951 | 557 | 188 | 0.0111% |
| 1952 | 522 | 219 | 0.0125% |
| 1953 | 560 | 199 | 0.0112% |
| 1954 | 561 | 206 | 0.0113% |
| 1955 | 590 | 191 | 0.0104% |
| 1956 | 605 | 201 | 0.0106% |
| 1957 | 683 | 163 | 0.0085% |
| 1958 | 631 | 198 | 0.0105% |
| 1959 | 712 | 148 | 0.0078% |
| 1960 | 799 | 117 | 0.0062% |
| 1961 | 800 | 121 | 0.0064% |
| 1962 | 838 | 106 | 0.0058% |
| 1963 | 866 | 96 | 0.0053% |
| 1964 | 831 | 108 | 0.0061% |
| 1965 | 816 | 103 | 0.0063% |
| 1966 | 858 | 86 | 0.0055% |
| 1967 | 993 | 60 | 0.004% |
| 1968 | 991 | 61 | 0.0041% |
| 1969 | 1099 | 54 | 0.0035% |
| 1970 | 1155 | 53 | 0.0033% |
| 1971 | 971 | 81 | 0.0054% |
| 1972 | 1152 | 49 | 0.0036% |
| 1973 | 1425 | 28 | 0.0022% |
| 1974 | 1515 | 26 | 0.002% |
| 1975 | 1413 | 33 | 0.0026% |
| 1976 | 1352 | 37 | 0.0029% |
| 1977 | 1184 | 57 | 0.0042% |
| 1978 | 1716 | 22 | 0.0016% |
| 1979 | 1906 | 18 | 0.0013% |
| 1980 | 1693 | 26 | 0.0018% |
| 1981 | 1729 | 25 | 0.0017% |
| 1982 | 1913 | 19 | 0.0013% |
| 1983 | 1717 | 24 | 0.0016% |
| 1984 | 2584 | 7 | 0.0005% |
| 1985 | 2708 | 7 | 0.0005% |
| 1986 | 2057 | 18 | 0.0012% |
| 1987 | 2806 | 7 | 0.0005% |
| 1988 | 1718 | 32 | 0.0021% |
| 1989 | 2651 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 1990 | 2409 | 16 | 0.001% |
| 1991 | 2241 | 21 | 0.0013% |
| 1992 | 3286 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1993 | 3883 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1994 | 3015 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1995 | 3097 | 7 | 0.0005% |
| 1996 | 2857 | 10 | 0.0007% |
| 1997 | 3532 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1998 | 3188 | 7 | 0.0005% |
| 1999 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 2000 | 3948 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2001 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 2002 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 2003 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 2004 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 2005 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 2006 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 2007 | 3791 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2008 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 2009 | 3824 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2010 | 3744 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2011 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 2012 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 2013 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 2014 | 3351 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 2015 | 3479 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2016 | 2850 | 11 | 0.0008% |
| 2017 | 2466 | 16 | 0.0011% |
| 2018 | 2976 | 7 | 0.0005% |
| 2019 | 2323 | 18 | 0.0013% |
| 2020 | 2933 | 18 | 0.0014% |
| 2021 | 2514 | 25 | 0.002% |
| 2022 | 2067 | 46 | 0.0035% |
| 2023 | 1623 | 80 | 0.0062% |
As the data shows, Dolly experienced its peak popularity in the early to mid-20th century. It consistently ranked within the top 400 names during the 1910s through the 1950s. After a period of decline in the latter half of the century, Dolly has seen a slight resurgence in recent years, indicating a potential comeback for this classic name. In 2023, the name’s rank was 1,623 with 80 births, showing a renewed interest.
Data source: SSA.gov
State-Level Data
(Chart displaying Dolly’s popularity in the District of Columbia)
The chart shows the name Dolly was given to 6 children in the District of Columbia.
Meaning and Origins of Dolly
The name Dolly is often considered a diminutive of Dorothy. Dorothy itself is derived from the Greek name Dorothea, composed of the elements "doron" (gift) and "theos" (God), meaning "gift of God." Therefore, Dolly, in essence, also carries the beautiful meaning of "gift of God." This positive association adds to the name’s appeal.
Names Like Dolly
If you’re drawn to the sweetness and charm of Dolly, you might also appreciate other similar names.
Variants of Dolly:
| Name | Meaning | Origin | Popularity | Other Gender |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dollee | English | |||
| Dolley | Gift of God | Greek | ||
| Dollie | Gift of God | Greek |
Names That Sound Like Dolly:
| Name | Meaning | Origin | Popularity | Other Gender |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delly | Noble kind | German | ||
| Doll | Gift of God | Greek | ||
| Dolli | Gift of God | Greek |
Lists with Dolly
The name Dolly is often associated with lists of classic girl names, vintage names, and names with a sweet and endearing quality.
Ultimately, the choice of a name is a personal one. If you are drawn to Dolly‘s vintage charm, sweet sound, and meaningful origin, it might be the perfect name for your little girl. Consider its popularity trends and explore similar names to find the perfect fit for your family.