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Dorian

HeartDOOR-ee-un
Greek, name of a tribe
"stranger, exile"

Dorian Origin and Meaning

The name Dorian is a boy's name of Greek origin.

The Dorians were an ancient Greek tribe, one of the three major pre-Spartan tribes. It literally means "of Doris," a Greek district, or "of Doros," referring to the son of Helen of Sparta. Dorian derives from the Greek doron, meaning "gift," along with related names such as Dorothy and Dora.

Dorian was introduced as a first name by Oscar Wilde in his 1890 novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, the story of a narcissistic character who retains his youthful good looks while his portrait in the attic ages grotesquely. Despite this negative reference, Dorian's attributes have kept it consistently on the boys' list since the 1960s.

Dorian also has a musical reference, being the name of one of the modes.

Actor Dorian Harewood has been a familiar presence in movies and on TV.

Rhythmic and unusual, Dorian makes a distinctive choice.

# 565 in the US

Dorian Rank in US Top 1000

# 214 on Nameberry

Dorian Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Dorian Popularity

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Famous People Named Dorian

  • Dorian KingiAmerican stuntman/actor and son of actress Lindsay Wagner
  • Dorian MissickAmerican actor
  • Dorian Edward WestEnglish rugby union player
  • Dorian Alan PeñaFilipino,Brazilian,American basketball player
  • Dorian van RijsselbergheDutch windsurfer
  • Dorian Jordanson of musician and reality TV personality Stevie J ("Love & Hip Hop Atlanta")
  • Dorian GregoryAmerican actor
  • (Willie) Dorian HarewoodAmerican actor

Dorian in Pop Culture

  • "The Picture of Dorian Gray" novel by Oscar Wilde
  • Dorian Havilliardmain character in Sarah J. Maas's Throne of Glass series
  • Dorian the DRN Robotcharacter on TV's "Almost Human"
  • Dorian Longcharacter on TV's "Moesha"
  • Dorian Pavuscharacter in video game "Dragon Age: Inquisition"
  • Dorian Lagatosmain character in 2004 film "Dorian Blues"
  • Dorian Hawkmooncharacter in Michael Moorcock's Eternal Champion series
  • Dorian Heywoodcharacter on TV sitcom "A Different World"
  • Jonathan Michael "J.D." Doriancharacter on TV's "Scrubs"
  • "Dorian" song by Danish musician Agnes Obel
  • Hurricane Doriandevastating Category 5 storm that hit the Bahamas in 2019