Dominic

updated Sept 2014

Dominic ~ Of the Lord, Belonging to God ~ Latin

Meaning
Dominic is a name that has been used for a very long time, traditionally for babies born on Sunday. Why? If you are familiar with Spanish, for example, you may know that the word for Sunday is Domingo (the day "belongs to God"). It all goes back to the Latin, dominica, for Lord. The history and meaning is really lovely, especially if you are religious. Several saints are named Dominic, including the founder of the Catholic Dominican Order. It might be that much more appropriate if your son is born on a Sunday as well, or if you have connections to the Dominican Republic.

Popularity
Dominic is gaining popularity right now because of its sound and cross-cultural appeal. It's not overused, and it has a global feel to it. Because it has such deep roots, you can be certain that no one will say they have never heard of it or think it's "out there." After all, it has been gaining popularity in America since the 1900s. I like it because the sound is just a little different, and I find it refreshing since a lot of popular boys' names are beginning to sound alike.

One thing that gave this name a boost in America is Vin Diesel's character in the Fast and Furious movies. His name is Dominic, and he goes by the faster nickname Dom. It's a fantastic way to shorten the name and now we associate Dom with speed, loyalty, and strength.

Dominic is ranked at #69 for 2014. It continues its climb on an upward trend with each year.

Nicknames, Variations, and Alternate Spellings

• Dom
• Domini
• Domingo
• Nick, Nic
• Dominick
• Dominik

Celebrities Named Dominic 

• Dominic Purcell, actor
• Dominic Monaghan, actor