Dora
Meaninggift · Greek
Dora is a Mexican girl name meaning “gift”, with Greek roots. Greek names often reach back to myth, philosophy and the early Church, so they come with a lot of history. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- GenerationDora peaked in 1881, which makes it a Victorian-era favorite, the kind of name you'd find on a great-great-grandparent.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Dora would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 21,413 baby girls got the name in 2025.
- HistoryDora has been in use since at least 1880, the first year US birth records were kept. That's 145 years of Doras, and counting.
US births per million girls, 1880–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Dora
Dora is a girl name of Mexican origin meaning “gift”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. It was most fashionable in the 1880s, which gives it a vintage, grandparent-chic charm, and it's now coming back into style. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Mexican names
More Mexican girl names
- Girl name: Olivia · olive tree
- Girl name: Emma · whole, universal
- Girl name: Amelia · work, industrious
- Girl name: Mia · possibly beloved
- Girl name: Isabella · God is my oath
- Girl name: Evelyn · possibly desired
- Girl name: Sofia · wisdom
- Girl name: Aurora · dawn
Questions about the name Dora
What does the name Dora mean?
Dora means “gift” and comes from Greek. Names built around “gift” have been loved for generations, and give a child a meaning worth sharing when someone asks about their name. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Theo (“gift of God”), Matias (“gift of God”), Jesse (“gift”) and Dorothy (“gift of God”).
What is the origin of the name Dora?
Dora is Mexican in origin, and its meaning traces back to Greek. Other Mexican names to consider are Olivia (“olive tree”), Emma (“whole, universal”), Amelia (“work, industrious”) and Mia (“possibly beloved”).
Is Dora a boy or girl name?
Dora is a girl name. In 2025, 75 US girls were named Dora.
How popular is the name Dora?
Dora ranked #2,387 for US girls in 2025, given to 75 babies. Its best year was 1881, when it reached #46. Over the last five years it has climbed 7 places.
What names are similar to Dora?
If you like Dora, you might also like Theo, Matias, Jesse and Dorothy.
What should I know before naming my baby Dora?
Dora is a Mexican girl name meaning “gift”, with Greek roots. Greek names often reach back to myth, philosophy and the early Church, so they come with a lot of history. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.