Back to Baby Names

Dorcas

Pronunciation: [ d-AWRK-uhs ]

Girl Name #6,126 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A rare biblical gem carrying the grace of a gazelle

English Christian/Biblical American
Biblical Vintage Rare Spiritual Traditional

Meaning & Origin

"gazelle"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
"gazelle (Aramaic equivalent — this is the translation of Tabitha)"
Origin: Aramaic
Language: Aramaic

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.

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

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

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

Sibling Names

Tabitha Priscilla Lydia Phineas Cornelius Miriam Barnabas

Sibling Match Premium

Check how Dorcas fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.

Up to 3 sibling names, comma-separated.

Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.

Similar Names

Dorothea Deborah Norris Doria Boris Osiris Noctis

Compare Dorcas with...

Dorcas vs Dorothea Dorcas vs Deborah Dorcas vs Norris Dorcas vs Doria

Same Origin Names (English)

Liam #1 Olivia #1 Noah #2 Emma #2 Oliver #3 Amelia #3 Theodore #4 Charlotte #4

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

Can't decide?

Start a tournament bracket with Dorcas and other names you're considering.

Start a Tournament

Like this name?

Check how Dorcas sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.

Analyze This Name
Browse more girl names →

Explore More Generators

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.

Explore Name Lists

Most Popular Girl Names Rising Girl Names Unique Girl Names Short Girl Names