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Dora

Girl name · 6 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Dora: 6 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 3 births in 1991.

Dora is a name of Greek origin, derived from *Dōron*, meaning "gift." It often functions as a short form of Dorothy, Theodora, or Pandora, but has long been used independently. The most famous bearer is the Victorian-era explorer Dora Livingstone, though the name is perhaps best known today from the animated adventurer Dora the Explorer. The Spanish city of Dora, near Valencia, shares the same root, as does the Dora River in Italy. A notable variant is the Scottish Gaelic *Dòrnaid*, though Dora itself has been used in Scotland since the 19th century. The name enjoyed a peak in popularity in the 1880s and 1890s, and has a gentle, vintage charm that feels both classic and approachable.