Dorian
/ˈdɔɹ.i.ən/
Dorian comes from the Greek Dorieus, referring to a member of the Dorians—the ancient Greek people who settled the Peloponnese and Crete. The root Doris may connect to doron meaning “gift.”
Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890) is the primary reason the name entered English literary culture. Dorian Gray—beautiful, morally corrupt, and supernaturally preserved—gave the name both glamour and darkness.
Dorian peaked at No. 398 in 2000 with 639 births. In 2024 it ranks No. 538 with 553 births, holding steadily rather than declining further.
What the name Dorian means
In music, the Dorian mode is one of the seven ancient Greek modes, still used in jazz and folk music as a minor scale with a raised sixth. This musical association gives the name an additional creative dimension.
Three syllables—DOR-ee-an—flow naturally. The name has a slightly archaic, literary quality that suits parents who want something with genuine intellectual weight.
Hurricane Dorian (2019) gave the name a brief but prominent news association, though this has not significantly affected its popularity in either direction.
Parents choosing Dorian are often drawn to its Wildean literary heritage, its Greek etymology, and the way it balances classical roots with a slightly unusual profile in contemporary naming.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Dorian
Dorian - similar names
Not seeing what you want? Browse all names by origin or popularity