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Home › Baby Names Directory › Dorcas

Dorcas

♀ Girl

Pronounced DOR-kəs /ˈdɔr.kəs/Medium

Meaning: From Greek dorkas, 'a gazelle' (the Greek translation of the Aramaic Tabitha)Medium

In 30 seconds: A gazelle: Dorcas is Greek for 'a gazelle'. Vintage, graceful, and warm (said 'DOR-kəs').
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Origin MediumGreek
MeaningFrom Greek dorkas, 'a gazelle' (the Greek translation of the Aramaic Tabitha)
U.S. rank (2025)#4002 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births36 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1923
Total births (all-time)≈ 7,267

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192318802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Dorcas comes from Greek dorkas, 'a gazelle' (a creature of grace and beauty). In the New Testament, Dorcas (the Greek for the Aramaic Tabitha) was a charitable woman of Joppa, beloved for clothing the poor, whom the apostle Peter restored to life. A vintage, graceful name (said 'DOR-kəs'; nickname Dora).

In the U.S. it appears in devout and African families. Rare, a-gazelle at the root, and graceful.

Did you know? Dorcas means 'a gazelle' in Greek — the Greek name of Tabitha, the kind seamstress of the New Testament whom Peter raised from the dead — a vintage, graceful name (said 'DOR-kəs').
Overall data confidence 72%
Behind the Name — Dorcas — root etymology

Variations

TabithaDorca

Nicknames

Dora

Famous Bearers

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If you like Dorcas…

Tabitha— her Aramaic name
Damaris— a fellow New Testament girls' name
Priscilla— a companion biblical girls' name
Phoebe— another Greek New Testament girls' name

Explore names like Dorcas

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Dorcas mean?

Dorcas is Greek for 'a gazelle' (the biblical Tabitha).

How do you pronounce Dorcas?

It's said DOR-kəs /ˈdɔr.kəs/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Dorcas a boy or girl name?

Dorcas is a girl's name.

How popular is Dorcas?

Dorcas is a rare name in the U.S.

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