Dolores: Baby Name of the DayDolores topped the charts in the 1930s. Today, the name teeters on the edge of extinction.

Thanks to Carrie for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.

Dolores: Our Lady

Like Pilar and Luz, this name comes a Spanish title for the Virgin Mary: Maria de los Dolores. It translates to Mary of Sorrows.

Seven sorrows are associated with Mary in the Roman Catholic faith. A feast day for Our Lady of Sorrows is observed on September 15th. Mary is depicting weeping, or with her heart shot through with daggers.

To an outsider it seems pretty bleak. To the faithful, it represents a virtue – to be steadfast in the face of suffering.

Dolores: Rise

The name appears in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries in the US, possibly inspired by:

  • AC Swinburne published a poem using the name in 1866.
  • In 1911, Dame Ivy Compton-Burnett penned a novel by the name.

Then came English-born Kathleen Rose. Florenz Ziegefield hired her for his famous stage show, calling her “the loveliest showgirl in all the world.” She left the stage in 1923, moved to Paris, and worked with the Resistance during the Second World War. Some consider Rose the first fashion model.

She answered to the stage name Dolores.

The numbers suggest that she deserves some credit for the name’s rise. In 1915, more than 1,000 girls were named Dolores for the first time ever. By 1920, that number was over 2,000, and by 1923, it topped 3,000.

Dolores: Del Rio

Born Maria de los Dolores in Mexico, actress Dolores del Rio became a star in Hollywood in the 1920s and 30s. She graduated from silent film to talkies, and after she left Hollywood, continued to work steadily in Mexico.

Miss del Rio puts this name in the same category as Marilyn.

Dolores: Lolita

The name peaked in the 1930s, and remained a Top 100 choice for another decade. It was fading when Vladimir Nabokov published his scandalous Lolita in the 1950s.

The story tells of middle-aged professor Humbert Humbert and his obsession with his 12 year-old stepdaughter, Dolores. He calls her Lolita – hence the title of Nabokov’s book. A movie followed in 1962.

The controversial classic might have ruined the name. Except it had slipped considerably by then. And Lolita actually reached its highest rank ever in 1963.

Dolores: Dolly and Lola

Other nickname options abound, including Lola and Dolly.

Lola has gained well over 500 places in the past dozen years, a true comeback. Meanwhile, Dolly remains quite rare, even as Molly enjoys significant popularity.

Dolores: Claiborne

Stephen King gave the name to the narrator of his 1992 bestsellers. His Mrs. Claiborne defends herself against one murder charge by admitting to another. The novel inspired a 1995 film with Kathy Bates in the title role. In 2013, the story became an opera. It also cemented the name as aged.

By then, the name had disappeared from the US Top 1000 entirely.

Dolores: Umbridge

In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Hogwarts welcomes yet another new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. She turns out to be almost shockingly cruel. Her name suggests her character: Dolores – sorrows – and Umbridge, presumably a play on umbrage, or offense, resentment.

Between King and Rowling, the name transformed. It’s dated, but it’s also associated with tragic – or evil – characters.

Dolores: Ready for Revival

Despite these negative associations, the name might be almost ready for reconsideration.

HBO’s Westworld gave the name to Evan Rachel Wood’s character.

Also, consider other 1930s favorites. While Shirley, Patricia, Carol, Joyce, Doris, and Marilyn remain stuck in style limbo, we’re embracing Martha, Frances, Ruth, and Dorothy.

While it might take a few more years, with traditional roots and a long history of use, this name will eventually be ready for revival.

Do you think this name is hopelessly dated? Or does it feel fresh and interesting?

About Abby Sandel

Whether you're naming a baby, or just all about names, you've come to the right place! Appellation Mountain is a haven for lovers of obscure gems and enduring classics alike.

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9 Comments

  1. I love the name Dolores, because of Dolores O’Riordan the lead singer of The Cranberries and West World. I use it as my preferred name all the time. Dolores to me, equals beauty and freedom, I have a vegetarian recipe blog Dining With Dolores. I also use Dolly, Dolo, and Lori as nicknames for people who say Dolores, just like umbridge. I love the regal feeling of Dolores and all the nicknames that can come from it.

  2. Dolores was the spunky, watercolour and rather Ramona Quimby-ish little girl in a series of picture books I really loved when I was tiny, Faye and Dolores, which is about a set of sisters. I rather identified with the Faye when I was little (I was the older sister) but I always think of Dolores as clunky-cute and a small spiky-haired child who eats toothpaste.

    https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51jdD5FVbdL.jpg

    I secretly love Dolly as a nickname. For either Dolores or Dorothea.

  3. While watching Westworld I keep thinking what a fresh sounding name! Ugh I forgot about Umbridge though and that makes it a no-go!

    I would love to see it on a little girl. I was thinking Lo for a nickname!

  4. I think with the nickname potential of Polly and Lola, Dolores is sure to come back, at least in hipster-y circles.

  5. Deloris is the name of Whooping Goldberg’s character in Sister Act. Dolores is also the name we gave to my son’s hypothetical, long-suffering girlfriend, who would be able to love him and take care of him. Alas, she has yet to come along.

    1. Oh, thank you for mentioning Sister Act!

      And I love that your son has a hypothetical girlfriend with a great name. 🙂