Doctor Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The term 'doctor' has its roots in Latin, meaning 'to teach' and evolving through various languages to refer to learned individuals, particularly in the medical field. It embodies traits of authority and expertise, with no direct biblical relevance. The term gained prominence during the Middle Ages with the rise of universities.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Doctor"
Pronunciation
/ˈdɒktər/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The term 'doctor' originates from the Latin word 'docere', meaning 'to teach'. It historically referred to a teacher or learned person, particularly in the context of higher education.
Meaning
teacher, learned individual, physician
Language Evolution
Latin: doctor, Old French: docteur, Middle English: doctour, Modern English: doctor
Historical Usage
The term gained popularity in Europe during the Middle Ages as universities emerged, especially in relation to medicine and theology.
Variants & Derivatives
Dr., Doc, Docteur
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, the term 'doctor' is widely associated with medical professionals, evoking trust, expertise, and authority in healthcare.
Famous People
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Dr. Jane Goodall, Dr. Albert Einstein
📊 Doctor Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Doctor Name Visualizations
✨ Doctor Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 17 peak births in 1920
Geographic Spread
Popular across 1 US states, with strongest presence in North Carolina
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 3 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Doctor"
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 "Doctor"
"Doctor" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2356th of 7545 | 192 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 4330th of 6773 | 43 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 7201st of 7552 | 6 |
Regional Popularity of "Doctor" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
62.17% 1471st/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) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Doctor" 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 "Doctor"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Doctor" 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.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Doctor" in the United States
The name Doctor is most popular in North Carolina, 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, Doctor has been stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Doctor' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2356th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 4330th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 7201st out of 7552 names. Discover how the name 'Doctor' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.