Dulcinea, derived from the Spanish 'dulce,' meaning sweet, is an uncommon yet enchanting given name. It gained notable recognition through its use by Miguel de Cervantes in his classic novel 'Don Quixote.' The character Dulcinea del Toboso, a peasant girl who becomes the beloved of the titular knight, lent this name a romantic and whimsical aura. Today, Dulcinea remains a unique choice for parents seeking an unusual yet captivating name for their daughter.
The name Dulcinea experienced fluctuations in popularity over the decades, with periods of higher usage between 1974 and 1982, as well as from 1996 to 2006, reaching its peak with 16 births in 2006. However, it has since declined, with fewer than 10 births per year since 2011. Overall, there were 318 births recorded between 1921 and 2021.