Dock
A boy's name of Old English origin with 5,383 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A male given name or nickname.
Dock is a boy's baby name of Old English origin, used as a given name and nickname, likely derived either from the plant name (the broad-leafed dock weed) or as a shortened form of Doctor — a term of address that became a familiar nickname in American Southern communities.
Dock Ellis, the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher who claimed to have thrown a no-hitter in 1970 under the influence of LSD, gave this name an unforgettable place in baseball mythology. It's an unmistakably American name with a rough-and-tumble frontier spirit.
EtymologyShow more
Dock first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1880. Names present in the earliest SSA data (which begins in 1880) were typically carried by immigrants from Europe, handed down through families, or drawn from biblical and classical sources.
Its Old English classification suggests a path from old english linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Dock has 122+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1880.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 11 | #11831 | ▲ |
| 2010s | 5 | #12701 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 17 | #11114 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 47 | #7173 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 85 | #4992 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 140 | #2996 | — |
| 1960s | 153 | #2259 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 342 | #1309 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 433 | #1040 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 559 | #855 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 1,032 | #631 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 918 | #495 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 469 | #300 | ▼ |
| 1890s | 589 | #224 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 583 | #213 | — |
The Story of Dock
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1920, Dock is a name steeped in history. Boys named Dock are most likely born between 1910 and 1930.
How rare is Dock?
Dock has 5,383 recorded births in the U.S. — a well-established name with deep roots.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1880, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1920s with 1,032 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Dock by the numbers
- Would fill 112 school buses
- Meeting one Dock per day would take 14.7 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(122 years, 1880–2023)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 5 | #12697 |
| 2020 | 6 | #10965 |
| 2016 | 5 | #12701 |
| 2009 | 5 | #12982 |
| 2005 | 5 | #11918 |
| 2000 | 7 | #8443 |
| 1998 | 7 | #7803 |
| 1997 | 5 | #9662 |
| 1995 | 5 | #9229 |
| 1994 | 10 | #5564 |
| 1993 | 12 | #4790 |
| 1990 | 8 | #5991 |
| 1989 | 5 | #8221 |
| 1988 | 9 | #4897 |
| 1987 | 7 | #5656 |
| 1986 | 9 | #4570 |
| 1985 | 7 | #5302 |
| 1984 | 7 | #5118 |
| 1983 | 9 | #4230 |
| 1982 | 7 | #5169 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dock a boy's or girl's name?
When was Dock most popular?
How popular is the name Dock?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1880–2023