Doc Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name 'Doc' originates from the English word for 'doctor,' which itself comes from the Latin 'docere,' meaning 'to teach.' It has evolved through various languages, retaining its association with knowledge and healing. The name carries traits of wisdom and approachability, with no biblical relevance. It gained popularity in the 20th century and is often used informally in relation to medical professionals.
The name Doc is most popular in Mississippi, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Doc has been stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Doc' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1500th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2837th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3388th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 6085th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 8429th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 7610th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 4369th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Doc' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Doc"
Pronunciation
/dɒk/
Origin
English
Etymology
The name 'Doc' is derived from the word 'doctor,' which comes from the Latin 'docere,' meaning 'to teach.' It is often used as a nickname for a physician or someone who is knowledgeable.
Meaning
teacher, physician
Language Evolution
Doctor (Latin), Docteur (Old French), Dottore (Italian), Doktor (German)
Historical Usage
The term 'Doc' became popular in the 20th century as an informal term for a doctor, especially in American culture.
Variants & Derivatives
Doctor, Doc Holliday, Doc Brown
Modern Popularity & Image
The name 'Doc' is often associated with wisdom and authority, particularly in medical contexts, but also has a friendly, approachable connotation.
Famous People
Doc Holliday, an American gambler and dentist, Doc Rivers, an American basketball coach, Doc Brown, a fictional character from 'Back to the Future'
📊 Doc Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Doc Name Visualizations
✨ Doc Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 37 peak births in 2021
Geographic Spread
Popular across 4 US states, with strongest presence in Mississippi
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Doc"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Doc"
"Doc" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1500th of 7545 | 385 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2837th of 6773 | 131 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3388th of 7552 | 109 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 6085th of 10718 | 41 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 8429th of 16616 | 51 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 7610th of 24088 | 140 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 4369th of 23106 | 278 |
Regional Popularity of "Doc" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
57.82% 1368th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
68.67% 5022nd/7313 |
- |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - |
50.26% 3429th/6822 |
71.13% 4464th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Doc" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Doc"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Doc" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.