"gift"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Dora
Pronunciation: [ d-AWR-uh ]
Does Dora flow with your last name?
A sweet vintage gift of a name with global charm
English
Greek
Spanish
Eastern European
Hungarian
Vintage
Gentle
Classic
Whimsical
Playful
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"gift of God (short form of Dorothy/Theodora)"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with the Nickelodeon children's cartoon Dora the Explorer (2000-2019), which may seem childish to some parents despite being charming
The Story of Dora
Dora is a short form of Dorothy (gift of God) or Theodora (gift of God) and also of Isadora (gift of Isis), all built on the Greek word doron meaning gift. It can stand as a complete name in its own right. Dora has been used independently since the 19th century, made particularly famous by the character Dora Spenlow in Charles Dickens' David Copperfield (1850).
Dora was popular in the late Victorian and Edwardian eras, then declined mid-century. It experienced a major cultural moment when Nickelodeon launched Dora the Explorer in 2000, creating one of the most recognized children's characters in history. The name is now enjoying a vintage revival as parents rediscover its old-fashioned charm.
Dora the Explorer became a landmark in children's television as one of the first Latina protagonists in a major animated series. The character normalized Spanish-English bilingualism for a generation of American children, and actress Isabela Merced brought Dora to live-action in 2019.
Historical Record
Dora first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 27,416 babies have been named Dora in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Dora is past its peak , currently ranked #2,603 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Dora the Explorer (2000-2019) was one of Nickelodeons most successful series and a landmark in Latino representation in childrens media
- Dora Spenlow in Dickens' David Copperfield is one of the most famous Doras in literature, described as a delightful and childlike wife
Dora in Other Languages
Greek
Δώρα
German
Dora
Italian
Dora
Spanish
Dora
Hungarian
Dóra
Popularity Over Time
#2,603
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1951
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Dora
D
Dora Maar
Artist
1907
French Surrealist photographer and painter, longtime partner and muse of Pablo Picasso
D
Dora the Explorer Fictional
Other
Beloved Latina cartoon protagonist of the Nickelodeon series Dora the Explorer (2000-2019), teaching Spanish and problem...
Beloved Latina cartoon protagonist of the Nickelodeon series Dora the Explorer (2000-2019), teaching Spanish and problem-solving to preschoolers worldwide
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,603
- Total SSA Count
- 67
- Cultural Origins
- English Greek Spanish Eastern European Hungarian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Dor
Dorie
Dodo
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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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, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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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
Middle Names
Middle Names for Dora
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Dora is also used as a boy name, ranked #26533.
View Dora as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Dora
What does the name Dora mean?
"gift" (from Greek). "gift of God (short form of Dorothy/Theodora)" (from Greek). Dora is a short form of Dorothy (gift of God) or Theodora (gift of God) and also of Isadora (gift of Isis), all built on the Greek word doron meaning gift. It can stand as a complete name in its own right. Dora has been used independently since the 19th century, made particularly famous by the character Dora Spenlow in Charles Dickens' David Copperfield (1850).
What is the origin of the name Dora?
Dora has Greek, English, Spanish, Eastern European, and Hungarian origins. In Greek, it means "gift". In Greek, it means "gift of God (short form of Dorothy/Theodora)".
Is Dora a boy or girl name?
Dora is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2603. As a boy name, it is ranked #26533. Dora is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Dora?
Dora is pronounced d-AWR-uh.
How popular is the name Dora?
Dora is currently ranked #2603 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Dora?
Common nicknames for Dora include Dor, Dorie, and Dodo.
What are good middle names for Dora?
Popular middle name pairings include Dora Rose, Dora Jane, Dora Mae, Dora Grace, Dora Louise, Dora Elise, and Dora Claire.
What are good sibling names for Dora?
Names that pair well with Dora as siblings include Cora, Nora, Flora, Mabel, Ada, Bea, Otto, Arlo, and Felix.
How many syllables does Dora have?
Dora has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Dora a common or rare name?
Dora is an uncommon name, ranked #2603 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Dora?
About the Name Dora
Dora is a girl name with English, Greek, Spanish, Eastern European, and Hungarian origins . The name means "gift" in Greek .
Is Dora a boy or girl name? Dora is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,603 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #26,533. Dora is more commonly used as a girl name.
Dora is currently ranked #2,603 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Dora has 2 syllables and is pronounced d-AWR-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Dora include Dor, Dorie, and Dodo. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Dora include Dorothy, Dorothea, Doris . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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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