about 1930. Pet forms are LOLA, Lolita and Lo.
Domhnall see Daniel, Donald
Dominic m., Dominique f.
From the Latin dominicus meaning ‘of the Lord’. It probably became more widespread on account of St Dominic, founder of the Order of Preachers known as the Black Friars early in the 13th century. Until this century it was almost exclusively a Roman Catholic name, but is now widely used. Dominick is also found, and the name can be shortened to Dom and Nic. Dominique, from the French, is now the most popular form for girls, although Dominica, the original Latin feminine form, is sometimes used.
Donald m.
From the Irish Domhnall or Donal(l) (the second reflecting the pronunciation, with a long ‘o’ as in ‘doe’) meaning ‘world mighty’. It was the name of a number of medieval Irish kings. The name became Donald in Gaelic. Common short forms are Don and Donny. Various forms of the name were coined in the Highlands to turn Donald into a girl’s name, of which Donalda and Donella have been the commonest.
Donata f.
This name is far more often used than its male equivalent, Donatus or Donat, both Latin for ‘given [by God]’. The Old French equivalent was Dieudonné(e), which is still very occasionally found.
Donella see Donald
Donna f.
This is the Italian word for ‘lady’. It became popular as a first name in the 20th century, particularly in North America. Madonna, ‘My Lady’, used of the Virgin Mary, in use in the USA by the 1930s, comes from the same word.
Donnchadh see Denis, Duncan
Donny see Donald
Donovan m.
An Irish surname, meaning ‘dark brown’, used as a first name. It gained publicity as the name of a popular singer from the 1960s.
Donte m.
The Italian name Durrante, meaning ‘steadfast’, developed the shortened form Donte, and Dante, famous as the name of the medieval poet. Donte (pronounced with two syllables) has been well used in the USA in recent years.
Dora f.
Originally this name was a short form of DOROTHY and THEODORA, but it is now a name in its own right. It came into use at the beginning of the 19th century. A pet form is Dorrie, shared with other names like DOREEN and DORIS. Dorinda was an 18th-century elaboration of the name.
Dorcas see Tabitha
Doreen f.
From the Irish Doireann, a name sometimes found in English spelling as Dorren. Its origin is rather obscure, but in Irish mythology it is the name of at least two supernatural beings. A short form is Dorrie, and the name can also be spelt Dorinne.
Dorian f. and m.
The ancient Greek people known as Dorians came from Doris in the north, but later dominated southern Greece. The best-known group were the Spartans. The word was introduced as a first name in Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray (1891). Like so many boy’s names, it is now used as a girl’s name as well. It is now also spelt Dorien or Dorrien and for girls Dorianne and Doriana. Forms such as Darian and Darien can be seen as either a form of this name, or a blend of such names as DARIUS and DARREN.
Dorinda see Dora
Dorinne see Doreen
Doris f.
The name of a sea nymph in Greek mythology, possibly meaning ‘bountiful’, and also a term for a woman member of the DORIAN people of Greece. In classical literature it was used as a poetic name for a lovely woman. It came into common use at the end of the 19th century and was popular into the 1930s. A short form is Dorrie.
Dorothy, Dorothea f.
From the Greek meaning ‘gift of God’. The name is found in Britain from the end of the 15th century and has been in use ever since. In the 16th century, it was abbreviated to Doll(y), and was so popular that the toy became known as a doll, Doll being such a likely name for a baby. In Scottish dialect, a doll is sometimes called a Dorrity. Later short forms are DORA, Dot, Dottie, Dodo, Dodie and Thea (see also THEODORA).
Dorren see Doreen
Dorrie see Dora, Doreen, Doris
Dorrien see Dorian
Dorrity, Dot, Dottie see Dorothy
Dougal, Dugal(d) m.
From the Irish dubh ghall, meaning ‘dark stranger’, a name given to the Danish Vikings. It was a common first name in the Scottish Highlands, and while it still has strong Scottish associations, it now has a more general use.
Douglas m.
From the Gaelic dubh glas, meaning ‘black stream’. It was first a Celtic river name, then the surname of a powerful Scottish family famous for its strength and bravery in fighting, and then, from about the late 16th century, a first name for both girls and boys. It is now restricted to boys. Duggie and Doug(ie) are pet forms.
Drew m. and f.
From the Old German Drogo, meaning ‘to carry’ or ‘to bear’, a name which was brought to Britain by the Normans and later became a surname. This surname, which like any other, can also be used as a first name, may also come from two other sources: as a short form of ANDREW, probably the commonest form of Drew as a first name, and from an old French word for ‘lover’. Parents wishing to use this name may take their choice. It has recently been used occasionally for girls.
Drusilla f.
A feminine form of the Latin Drusus, a Roman family name, possibly meaning ‘firm’. It occurs in the New Testament and was adopted in the 17th century by the Puritans. It is still used occasionally, mainly in North America.
Duane, Dwayne m.
An Irish surname, probably meaning ‘black’, used as a first name. Pop star Duane Eddy made the name better known in the 1950s. More recently it has developed exotic variants such as DeWayne or Du’aine.
Dudley m.
Originally a surname from the place name in Worcestershire. Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, was the favourite of Queen Elizabeth for many years. Like other aristocratic names it came into general use as a first name in the 19th century. Dud is a short form.
Dugal(d) see Dougal
Duggie see Douglas
Duke see Marmaduke
Dulcie f.
Dulcie is a name coined in the 19th century from the Latin dulcis, meaning ‘sweet’. There was an earlier name, Dulcibella (‘fair and sweet’). Dulcie was very popular in the early years of the 20th century, but now has an old-fashioned ring to it.
Duleep see Dilip
Duncan m.
The Scots form of the Irish
