The first name Dorian
A unisex name from Greek meaning “of doris”.
Pronounced /ˈdɔːɹiən/ 3 syllables Unisex Also a surname
Meaning and origin
Greek origin
Dorian means “of doris” in Greek.
Constructed like the French Doriens. From the Latin root of Dōres + -ian. Compare Ancient Greek Δωριεύς (Dōrieús, “of Doris”).
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 46 boys were named Dorian, making it the 745th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2012, with 66 births (#549).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Dorian with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Dorian at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 557 boys born in the United States were named Dorian, the 539th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2008, when 641 were.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Dorian in other languages
Equivalent forms of the name, from Wiktionary
Famous people named Dorian
20 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Dorian GregoryAmerican actor, born 1971
- Dorian HarewoodAmerican actor (born 1950)
- Dorian van RijsselbergheDutch windsurfer, born 1988
- Dorian Finney-SmithAmerican basketball player (1993-)
- Dorian GodonFrench road cyclist, born 1996
- Dorian ElectraAmerican singer-songwriter, born 1992
- Dorian MissickAmerican actor, born 1976
- Dorian DerviteFrench footballer (born 1988)
- Dorian MorteletteFrench rower, born 1983
- Dorian LeighAmerican model (1917–2008)
- Dorian ConinxFrench triathlete, born 1994
- Dorian LévêqueFrench footballer, born 1989
More Greek unisex names
Questions
- What does the name Dorian mean?
- Dorian means “of doris” in Greek.
- What is the origin of the name Dorian?
- Constructed like the French Doriens. From the Latin root of Dōres + -ian. Compare Ancient Greek Δωριεύς (Dōrieús, “of Doris”).
- How popular is the name Dorian?
- In 2025, 46 boys born in England and Wales were named Dorian, ranking 745th. Its peak was 2012, with 66 births.
- Is Dorian a boy's or a girl's name?
- Both. Of the 28,728 US babies named Dorian since 1880, 16% were girls and 84% boys.
- When was Dorian most popular?
- 2008 in the United States, when 641 babies were named Dorian, its highest rank at 441st.
- How do you pronounce Dorian?
- Dorian is /ˈdɔːɹiən/, 3 syllables.
- Is Dorian also a surname?
- Yes. Dorian is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.