Dollie is a diminutive form of the name Dolly or Dollye, which is derived from the given name Dorothy. The name Dorothy originated in England and was introduced to America by German and English settlers. It means "gift of God" in Greek.
The use of Dollie as a given name can be traced back to the early 20th century in the United States. However, it became more popular during the mid-20th century when celebrities such as Dolly Parton gained fame and recognition. Despite its popularity at that time, Dollie has never been among the top 1000 most popular names for girls in the United States.
Today, Dollie is still used as a given name but it remains relatively rare compared to other names. Some famous individuals with this name include Dollie Brice, an American silent film actress born in the early 20th century, and Dollie Barnes, an American jazz singer who was active during the mid-20th century.
In summary, Dollie is a diminutive form of Dorothy that means "gift of God". It has been used as a given name since the early 20th century but never achieved widespread popularity. Its use as a celebrity name has helped to maintain its visibility over time.
The name Dollie has a fascinating history of popularity and usage in the United States over the past century and a half. According to statistics, there were 69 babies named Dollie born in the U.S. in 1880. The next year, this number increased slightly to 90 births.
Interestingly, from 1882 to 1885, the birth count for the name Dollie remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 93 and 110 births annually. However, a significant shift occurred in 1886 when there were 136 births, marking the beginning of an upward trend.
This trend continued throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In 1907, for instance, there were 202 babies named Dollie born in the U.S., which was a notable increase from previous years. This popularity persisted until around 1915 when the birth count started to decrease again.
By 1926, only 349 babies were named Dollie, indicating a significant drop in popularity compared to previous decades. This downward trend continued through the mid-20th century, with fewer than 100 births per year reported from the late 1950s onwards.
In recent years, however, there has been a slight resurgence in the usage of the name Dollie. In 2020 and 2021, for instance, there were 11 and 17 babies named Dollie born in the U.S., respectively. This suggests that while the name may not be as popular as it once was, it is still being used by some parents.
In total, over the years from 1880 to 2023, there have been 19,215 babies named Dollie born in the United States. These statistics illustrate the changing trends and patterns of popularity for the name Dollie over time. Despite its fluctuations in usage, it is clear that this unique name has left a lasting impact on American naming traditions.