"sorrows, pains"
Origin: Spanish
Language: Spanish
Dolores
Pronunciation: [ d-uhl-AWR-ihs ]
Does Dolores flow with your last name?
A name of profound faith and Latin grace
Spanish
Mexican
Filipino
Portuguese
Latin American
Vintage
Classic
Spiritual
Elegant
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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4 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"grief, suffering"
Origin: Latin dolor
Language: Latin
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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.
Historical Record
Dolores first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 36,344 babies have been named Dolores in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Dolores is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #3,167 for girl names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#3,167
Current Rank
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Dolores
D
Dolores O'Riordan
Musician
1971
Lead singer of Irish rock band The Cranberries, known for Zombie and Linger
D
Dolores Huerta
Activist
1930
American labor leader who co-founded the United Farm Workers with Cesar Chavez
D
Dolores del Rio
Actor
1904
Mexican actress and one of the first major Latin American stars in Hollywood's Golden Age
D
Dolores Umbridge Fictional
Other
Villainous Ministry official in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, considered one of fiction's most hated antagonists
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Compare Dolores with:
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
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, Latin American heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, Spanish heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, Spanish heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Dolores
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Dolores is also used as a boy name, ranked #37351.
View Dolores as a boy name →Similar Names
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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.
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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