Doralee is a unique and captivating given name of American origin, derived from two distinct sources. The first part, "Dora," is believed to be derived from the Latin word "dōrus," meaning "gift." This name gained popularity through the character Dora in various media, such as the children's television show "Dora the Explorer" and the novel "Dora's Secret" by Manuel Puig.
The second part of the name, "Lee," is an English name derived from the Old English word "lēah," meaning "woodland clearing." This element was also used in surnames, such as Lee and Leigh. In some cases, Doralee may be considered a variant spelling of Darlene or other similar names that combine elements like "Darl" or "Darrel."
The name Doralee is often associated with southern American culture, thanks to the country music song "I Fall to Pieces" by Patsy Cline. In the song, Doralee is used as a pseudonym for the protagonist, who is struggling with heartbreak and despair.
In terms of popularity, Doralee has not been widely adopted as a given name in English-speaking countries. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, only a handful of babies were named Doralee between 1950 and 2019, with the highest number being just six girls in 1973.
Despite its rarity, Doralee remains an intriguing and distinctive name choice for parents seeking an unusual yet meaningful name for their child. Its unique origin story and cultural associations make it a standout option for those looking to celebrate both history and individuality through their naming decision.
The name Doralee experienced significant fluctuations in popularity from 1916 to 2006, with the highest number of births occurring in 1925 (20 births) and the lowest in several years around mid-century (5 births in both 1962 and 1963). There was a notable resurgence in popularity starting from the late 1970s until the early 1980s, with 1983 seeing a significant spike to 19 births. After that period, the name's usage seems to have declined again, with only one year (2006) having more than five births since then. Overall, the name Doralee was chosen for 511 babies during this 90-year span.