girls' name · peaked 1921

Dora

Every Dora since 1880 — 106,480 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
1.883.755.637.518801900192019401960198020002020GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Rank 2025
#2,388
among girls
Babies in 2025
75
named Dora
Peak year
1921
2,031 babies
All-time total
106,480
since 1880

The story of Dora

Dora is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #2,388 in 2025 with 75 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 106,480 American babies have been named Dora. Its peak came in 1921, when 2,031 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Dora stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Dora year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 75 #2,388
2024 68 #2,589
2023 68 #2,595
2022 71 #2,511
2021 82 #2,254
2020 73 #2,399
2019 102 #1,935
2018 75 #2,408
2017 100 #1,978
2016 111 #1,857
2015 101 #1,973
2014 88 #2,156
2013 78 #2,351
2012 93 #2,068
2011 88 #2,161
2010 83 #2,300
2009 102 #2,021
2008 93 #2,161
2007 100 #2,043
2006 142 #1,541
2005 155 #1,391
2004 165 #1,298
2003 169 #1,243
2002 164 #1,224
2001 166 #1,219
2000 128 #1,435
1995 167 #1,068
1990 192 #972
1985 232 #746
1980 301 #610
1975 407 #464 6 #4,979
1970 537 #418
1965 724 #335
1960 925 #308 10 #2,734
1955 910 #286
1950 896 #252
1945 882 #216
1940 1,039 #181 9 #2,529
1935 1,169 #168 8 #2,765
1930 1,498 #142 13 #2,211
1925 1,945 #136 7 #3,496
1920 1,865 #133 7 #3,573
1915 1,666 #122 6 #3,507
1910 833 #103 5 #1,657
1905 757 #89
1900 958 #79 5 #1,361
1895 884 #68
1890 883 #62 7 #829
1885 776 #49
1880 524 #51 6 #843

Famous people named Dora

  1. Dora Maar Photographer · 1907–1997
  2. Dora Ratjen Athlete · 1918–2008
  3. Dora d'Istria Writer · 1828–1888
  4. Dora Pejačević Composer · 1885–1923
  5. Dora Boothby Tennis player · 1881–1970

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

How popular is the name Dora in 2025?

Dora ranked #2,388 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 75 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Dora?

106,480 babies have been named Dora in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Dora most popular?

Dora peaked in 1921, when 2,031 newborns received the name.

Is Dora a boy or girl name?

Dora is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 99% of babies with the name.

Is the name Dora rising or falling?

Dora has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Who are famous people named Dora?

Well-known people named Dora include Dora Maar (photographer), Dora Ratjen (athlete), Dora d'Istria (writer).

Names like Dora

Compare Dora with similar names →