Dolores

Pronunciation: [ d-uhl-AWR-ihs ]

Girl Name #3,167 Most Popular Hidden Gem 3 Syllables

A name of profound faith and Latin grace

Spanish Mexican Filipino Portuguese Latin American

Vintage Classic Spiritual Elegant

Meaning & Origin

"sorrows, pains"

Origin: Spanish

Language: Spanish

"grief, suffering"

Origin: Latin dolor

Language: Latin

Things to Know About This Name

The literal meaning sorrows may concern some parents

The Story of Dolores

Dolores comes from the Spanish title Nuestra Senora de los Dolores (Our Lady of Sorrows), referring to the Virgin Mary's grief at the crucifixion. The name entered secular use through devout Catholic Spain during the medieval period, then spread across Latin America and the Philippines. Despite its literal meaning of sorrows, it was given as a name of deep devotion and spiritual honor.

Dolores peaked in US popularity during the 1930s and 1940s, riding a wave of Spanish-influenced names. After the Cranberries frontwoman Dolores O'Riordan brought the name back to global attention in the 1990s, it remains beloved in Hispanic communities but has largely faded from mainstream use.

In Catholic tradition, the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows falls on September 15, making Dolores a name of profound Marian devotion. The Mexican city of Dolores Hidalgo is famous as the birthplace of Mexico's independence movement.

Fun Facts

Dolores O'Riordan of The Cranberries wrote Zombie in memory of IRA bombing victims
Lola, the most popular nickname, became an independent hit name in its own right

Dolores in Other Languages

French Douleur

Catalan Dolors

Italian Addolorata

Portuguese Dores

Famous People Named Dolores

Dolores O'Riordan

Musician

1971

Lead singer of Irish rock band The Cranberries, known for Zombie and Linger

Dolores Huerta

Activist

1930

American labor leader who co-founded the United Farm Workers with Cesar Chavez

Dolores del Rio

Actor

1904

Mexican actress and one of the first major Latin American stars in Hollywood's Golden Age

Dolores Umbridge Fictional

Other

Villainous Ministry official in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, considered one of fiction's most hated antagonists

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 3
Popularity Rank: #3,167
Total SSA Count: 50
Cultural Origins: Spanish Mexican Filipino Portuguese Latin American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Common Nicknames

Lola Lolita Dee Dolly

Pairs Well With

Dolores Grace Dolores Mae Dolores Rose Dolores Ann Dolores Elena Dolores Carmen

Sibling Names

Carmen Esperanza Rosario Isabel Luis Miguel

Also a Boy Name

Dolores is also used as a boy name, ranked #37351.

View Dolores as a boy name →

Similar Names

Lula Georgia Lottie Lois Claudia Nola Zola Valeria

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Dolores

What does the name Dolores mean?

"sorrows, pains" (from Spanish). "grief, suffering" (from Latin dolor). Dolores comes from the Spanish title Nuestra Senora de los Dolores (Our Lady of Sorrows), referring to the Virgin Mary's grief at the crucifixion. The name entered secular use through devout Catholic Spain during the medieval period, then spread across Latin America and the Philippines. Despite its literal meaning of sorrows, it was given as a name of deep devotion and spiritual honor.

What is the origin of the name Dolores?

Dolores has Spanish, Latin dolor, Mexican, Filipino, Portuguese, and Latin American origins. In Spanish, it means "sorrows, pains". In Latin dolor, it means "grief, suffering".

Is Dolores a boy or girl name?

Dolores is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #3167. As a boy name, it is ranked #37351. Dolores is more commonly used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Dolores?

Dolores is pronounced d-uhl-AWR-ihs.

How popular is the name Dolores?

Dolores is currently ranked #3167 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Dolores?

Common nicknames for Dolores include Lola, Lolita, Dee, and Dolly.

What are good middle names for Dolores?

Popular middle name pairings include Dolores Grace, Dolores Mae, Dolores Rose, Dolores Ann, Dolores Elena, and Dolores Carmen.

What are good sibling names for Dolores?

Names that pair well with Dolores as siblings include Carmen, Esperanza, Rosario, Isabel, Luis, and Miguel.

How many syllables does Dolores have?

Dolores has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.

Is Dolores a common or rare name?

Dolores is an uncommon name, ranked #3167 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Dolores

Dolores is a girl name with Spanish, Mexican, Filipino, Portuguese, and Latin American origins . The name means "sorrows, pains" in Spanish .

Is Dolores a boy or girl name? Dolores is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #3,167 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #37,351. Dolores is more commonly used as a girl name.

Dolores is currently ranked #3,167 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Dolores has 3 syllables and is pronounced d-uhl-AWR-ihs, making it distinctive and memorable.

Common nicknames for Dolores include Lola, Lolita, Dee, and Dolly. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.