Doris

Doris is a feminine given name of Greek origin, derived from the ancient region of Doris in central Greece. Through Greek mythology the name is also associated with sea-nymphs and deities, and it has been used in various cultures and languages. It is a common name in English-speaking countries and has appeared in literature, film, and public life.

In Greek mythology, Doris is a sea-nymph, the wife of Nereus, and the mother of the Nereids, a group of fifty sea-nymph sisters. The region of Doris in central Greece was inhabited by the Dorians, an ancient Greek tribal group, and the name later came to symbolize aspects of the sea and Greek antiquity.

In biology, Doris is the name of a genus of dorid nudibranchs, a diverse group of shell-less sea slugs found in oceans around the world. Species within the genus exhibit a range of colors and forms typical of dorid nudibranchs and are of interest to marine biologists and divers.

As a surname, Doris exists but is relatively uncommon compared with its usage as a given name. The name continues to appear in various cultural and contemporary contexts, reflecting its long-standing presence in Greek-influenced naming traditions.