Explore the Family Name Dolores
The meaning of Dolores
Spanish: from the female personal name Dolores, a short form of the Marian name María de los Dolores ‘Mary of the Sorrows’, a reference to the seven sorrow which, according to Roman Catholic belief, afflicted the Virgin Mary during her life on earth. Dolores became established as a very popular female personal name in Spain from the Middle Ages onward and has since spread to other languages and cultures.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Dolores in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname Dolores has seen a significant increase in popularity over the years. In 2000, it was ranked as the 24,513th most common surname, but by 2010, it had risen to the 17,283rd position, marking an impressive 29.49% jump. The number of individuals with this surname also rose from 956 in 2000 to 1,638 in 2010, showing a substantial growth rate of 71.34%. Furthermore, the proportion of people named Dolores per 100k population increased by 60%, moving from 0.35 to 0.56 within this decade.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #24,513 | #17,283 | 29.49% |
| Count | 956 | 1,638 | 71.34% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.35 | 0.56 | 60% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Dolores
The ethnic identity associated with the surname Dolores has also experienced some notable changes between 2000 and 2010, according to data from the Decennial U.S. Census. The majority of individuals with this surname identify as Hispanic, increasing from 70.40% in 2000 to 79.49% in 2010. Those identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander decreased by 19.27%, from 13.39% to 10.81%. The percentage of White individuals with the Dolores surname diminished significantly by 46.50%, going down from 13.70% to 7.33%. The data shows minor changes for those identifying as two or more races, Black, and American Indian and Alaskan Native.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hispanic | 70.4% | 79.49% | 12.91% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 13.39% | 10.81% | -19.27% |
| White | 13.7% | 7.33% | -46.5% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 1.15% | 1.16% | 0.87% |
| Two or More Races | 0.73% | 0.79% | 8.22% |
| Black | 0.63% | 0.43% | -31.75% |