Doris Phelan

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Doris Phelan — Greek
519K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Doris Phelan is a name that combines Greek origins. The first name Doris is a feminine given name of Greek origin. Doris is a predominantly feminine given name of Greek origin meaning Dorian woman. The name of the ethnic group is said to be derived from the name of the mythical founder Dorus, taken from Greek dōron, meaning gift. Doris was a sea goddess, wife of Nereus and mother of the Nereids in Greek mythology. As a feminine name, Doris was most popular in the Anglosphere in the late 19th century and early 20th century. It has also been particularly well used in German-speaking countries. The name is also in rare use as a male name. The surname Phelan: Phelan is an Irish surname, one of the two most common anglicisations (the other being Whelan) of the Irish surname Ó Faoláin (which comes from the Irish for "wolf"). The name is commonly seen in the south-east of Ireland, particularly counties Waterford and Kilkenny. Other anglicised forms include Felan and Faelan. One anglicized pronunciation is , but in some parts of Kilkenny there is also use of (as faolán, the Irish original form, is pronounced [ˈfˠeːlˠaːnˠ]) or even (because the name has the same origin as Whelan). Doris is a well-known first name, carried by approximately 519K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Doris reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Doris

Greek

Doris is a predominantly feminine given name of Greek origin meaning Dorian woman. The name of the ethnic group is said to be derived from the name of the mythical founder Dorus, taken from Greek dōron, meaning gift. Doris was a sea goddess, wife of Nereus and mother of the Nereids in Greek mythology. As a feminine name, Doris was most popular in the Anglosphere in the late 19th century and early 20th century. It has also been particularly well used in German-speaking countries. The name is also in rare use as a male name.

Surname: Phelan

Irish

Phelan is an Irish surname, one of the two most common anglicisations (the other being Whelan) of the Irish surname Ó Faoláin (which comes from the Irish for "wolf"). The name is commonly seen in the south-east of Ireland, particularly counties Waterford and Kilkenny. Other anglicised forms include Felan and Faelan. One anglicized pronunciation is , but in some parts of Kilkenny there is also use of (as faolán, the Irish original form, is pronounced [ˈfˠeːlˠaːnˠ]) or even (because the name has the same origin as Whelan).

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Geographic Distribution

The first name Doris is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 51%
United Kingdom 27%
Australia 12%
Canada 9%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Doris by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Notable People Named Doris Phelan

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Doris Phelan:

4
Expression Number

Stability and hard work. Represents practicality, reliability and dedication — someone who builds solid foundations.

3
Soul Urge Number

Creativity and self-expression. Associated with artistic flair, optimism and sociability — a natural communicator.

1
Personality Number

Leadership and independence. This number suggests a self-reliant, ambitious and pioneering personality that forges its own path.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Doris?
The first name Doris originates from Greek. Doris is a predominantly feminine given name of Greek origin meaning Dorian woman. The name of the ethnic group is said to be derived from the name of the mythical founder Dorus, taken from Greek dōron, meaning gift. Doris was a sea goddess, wife of Nereus and mother of the Nereids in Greek mythology. As a feminine name, Doris was most popular in the Anglosphere in the late 19th century and early 20th century. It has also been particularly well used in German-speaking countries. The name is also in rare use as a male name.
When was Doris most popular?
The name Doris reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Phelan?
The surname Phelan originates from Irish. Phelan is an Irish surname, one of the two most common anglicisations (the other being Whelan) of the Irish surname Ó Faoláin (which comes from the Irish for "wolf"). The name is commonly seen in the south-east of Ireland, particularly counties Waterford and Kilkenny. Other anglicised forms include Felan and Faelan. One anglicized pronunciation is , but in some parts of Kilkenny there is also use of (as faolán, the Irish original form, is pronounced [ˈfˠeːlˠaːnˠ]) or even (because the name has the same origin as Whelan).
What are the origins of the name Doris Phelan?
The name Doris Phelan combines two different traditions: the first name Doris has Greek roots, while the surname Phelan originates from Irish.
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