Is Dot a boy's or girl's name?

Dot is primarily a girl's name. It is also used as a boy's name, with 22 recorded births.

When was Dot most popular?

Dot reached its peak popularity in 1935 with 46 births that year. It is currently ranked #11329 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Dot?

Dot is currently ranked #11329 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 1,359 babies since 1883.

Dot

An uncommon Greek pick — distinctive and rare.

Girl's name| Also boysGreekRising fast Also a pet name

#11329▲ 4475in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A diminutive of the female given name Dorothy.

Dot is a girl's and boy's baby name of Greek origin, a diminutive of Dorothy — from the Greek Dōrothea meaning 'gift of God.' Dot was enormously popular as a standalone name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when nicknames were routinely used as given names.

With over 1,350 births in SSA records, Dot has a charming vintage quality — short, sweet, and completely unpretentious, it belongs to the golden age of one-syllable American nicknames that are finding favor again today.

Compare Dot with another name

Popularity Over Time

Dot has 83+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1883.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Dot
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	35	#13073	▲
2010s	15	#12530	▼
1960s	50	#4614	▼
1950s	86	#4317	▼
1940s	189	#2205	▼
1930s	363	#1222	▲
1920s	321	#1463	▲
1910s	128	#2032	▲
1900s	73	#1615	▲
1890s	60	#1241	▲
1880s	39	#954	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(83 years, 1883–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Dot
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	8	#11329	+3 (60.0%)
2023	5	#15804	-5 (-50.0%)
2022	10	#9873	+5 (100.0%)
2021	5	#15874	-2 (-28.6%)
2020	7	#12487	+1 (16.7%)
2019	6	#14264	-3 (-33.3%)
2018	9	#10795	+3 (50.0%)
1964	6	#6203	-1 (-14.3%)
1963	7	#5467	-4 (-36.4%)
1962	11	#4070	0
1961	11	#4078	-4 (-26.7%)
1960	15	#3252	-1 (-6.3%)
1959	16	#3015	+1 (6.7%)
1958	15	#3134	+3 (25.0%)
1957	12	#3528	+6 (100.0%)
1956	6	#5466	0
1954	6	#5312	+1 (20.0%)
1953	5	#5901	-8 (-61.5%)
1952	13	#3080	+7 (116.7%)
1951	6	#4994	-1 (-14.3%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Dot as a Boy's Name

While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Dot has also been given to 22 boys in the U.S. since 1916.

Unranked

Current rank

Total births

1916

Peak year

Compare Dot as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked

Can Dot be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Dot is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #11329. As a boy's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Dot has two lives

Dot, the baby name

#11329girls

1,359 babies

Currently viewing

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1883–2024) · Methodology

Dot