"gazelle"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Dorcas
Pronunciation: [ d-AWRK-uhs ]
Does Dorcas flow with your last name?
A rare biblical gem carrying the grace of a gazelle
English
Christian/Biblical
American
Biblical
Vintage
Rare
Spiritual
Traditional
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"gazelle (Aramaic equivalent — this is the translation of Tabitha)"
Origin: Aramaic
Language: Aramaic
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Things to Know About This Name
- Sounds phonetically similar to 'dork' — children may face teasing in school environments
The Story of Dorcas
Dorcas is the Greek translation of the Aramaic name Tabitha, and both mean 'gazelle' — an animal prized in ancient Near Eastern culture for its grace and swiftness. The name appears in the Acts of the Apostles (9:36-42), where Dorcas is a charitable woman who made clothing for the poor; after her death, the Apostle Peter is said to have raised her from the dead. Puritan colonists in 17th-century England and America frequently chose Biblical names with this kind of narrative weight.
Dorcas was fairly common in colonial America and Georgian England, riding the wave of Biblical naming. Its decline is largely attributable to 20th-century schoolyard slang — 'dork' emerged as a pejorative in the 1960s-70s, and the phonetic similarity effectively ended mainstream use. Today it survives among parents seeking authentically rare Biblical names.
Dorcas Societies — charitable women's groups organized for sewing and poor relief — were established worldwide in the 19th century, named after the biblical figure's acts of clothing the poor. These groups were once common in nearly every Protestant denomination, giving the name a legacy of charitable community work.
Historical Record
Dorcas first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 3,138 babies have been named Dorcas in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Dorcas is past its peak , currently ranked #6,126 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- In the Bible (Acts 9:36-42), Dorcas is one of the few women explicitly called a 'disciple' of Jesus
- Dorcas Societies — women's charitable sewing circles named after her — were founded on every inhabited continent in the 19th century
Dorcas in Other Languages
Greek
Δορκάς (Dorkas)
Arabic
دوركاس
French
Dorcas
Hebrew
Tabitha
Aramaic
Tabitha (ܛܒܝܬܐ)
Spanish
Dorcas
Popularity Over Time
#6,126
Current Rank
Peaked 1955
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Dorcas
D
Dorcas Reilly
Other
1926
American home economist at Campbell Soup Company who invented the green bean casserole in 1955 — one of America's most-m...
American home economist at Campbell Soup Company who invented the green bean casserole in 1955 — one of America's most-made holiday dishes
D
Dorcas (Biblical)
Other
Charitable woman in Acts of the Apostles who made clothing for the poor and was reportedly raised from the dead by the A...
Charitable woman in Acts of the Apostles who made clothing for the poor and was reportedly raised from the dead by the Apostle Peter — one of few women explicitly called a 'disciple' in the New Testament
D
Dorcas Lane Fictional
Other
Central character in the British TV series 'Lark Rise to Candleford' (2008-2011), the postmistress of Candleford Green, ...
Central character in the British TV series 'Lark Rise to Candleford' (2008-2011), the postmistress of Candleford Green, played by Julia Sawalha
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Compare Dorcas with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #6,126
- Total SSA Count
- 20
- Cultural Origins
- English Christian/Biblical American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Common Nicknames
Dory
Dorcey
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Dorcas
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Japanese origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Dorcas
What does the name Dorcas mean?
"gazelle" (from Greek). "gazelle (Aramaic equivalent — this is the translation of Tabitha)" (from Aramaic). Dorcas is the Greek translation of the Aramaic name Tabitha, and both mean 'gazelle' — an animal prized in ancient Near Eastern culture for its grace and swiftness. The name appears in the Acts of the Apostles (9:36-42), where Dorcas is a charitable woman who made clothing for the poor; after her death, the Apostle Peter is said to have raised her from the dead. Puritan colonists in 17th-century England and America frequently chose Biblical names with this kind of narrative weight.
What is the origin of the name Dorcas?
Dorcas has Greek, Aramaic, English, Christian/Biblical, and American origins. In Greek, it means "gazelle". In Aramaic, it means "gazelle (Aramaic equivalent — this is the translation of Tabitha)".
Is Dorcas a boy or girl name?
Dorcas is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Dorcas?
Dorcas is pronounced d-AWRK-uhs.
How popular is the name Dorcas?
Dorcas is currently ranked #6126 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Dorcas?
Common nicknames for Dorcas include Dory and Dorcey.
What are good middle names for Dorcas?
Popular middle name pairings include Dorcas Grace, Dorcas Anne, Dorcas Marie, Dorcas Faith, Dorcas Hope, Dorcas Elizabeth, and Dorcas Ruth.
What are good sibling names for Dorcas?
Names that pair well with Dorcas as siblings include Tabitha, Priscilla, Lydia, Phineas, Cornelius, Miriam, and Barnabas.
How many syllables does Dorcas have?
Dorcas has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Dorcas a common or rare name?
Dorcas is an uncommon name, ranked #6126 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Dorcas
Dorcas is a girl name with English, Christian/Biblical, and American origins . The name means "gazelle" in Greek .
Dorcas is currently ranked #6,126 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Dorcas has 2 syllables and is pronounced d-AWRK-uhs, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Dorcas include Dory and Dorcey. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis