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I know a Dorian. He has hipster sideburns but is otherwise quite a nice bloke, and gives his name good associations. He occasionally gets called Doreen, which could be a possible drawback. I can see how it could be mistaken for a girl name, but Doriane would be much nicer on a girl, imo.

I love it for a boy. I don't care for it on a girl at all.

I have heard of Dorian Gray but never read it.
I like it for a male. I think it comes off as more masculine and strong, handsome and romantic. Maybe a bit like a soap opera character.
That said I think it is unpopular enough that it could be used on either gender.

It makes me think of Dorian Gray which isn't really a good thing. I think it's pretty soft on a boy but I dislike it on a girl. It's just one of those names that sound slightly evil to me, which may be because of the character. Others are Damon and Damian.

I think of it as a masculine name. I don't really like it. I should because I like the D-R sounds. But it falls too gently or something ... to be a man's name. I'd like it if it were Dorin or Doran, but Dorian seems too soft for my taste.

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A woman named Dorian is a female with a conventionally masculine name. It doesn't become unisex to me just because it's on a woman. However, it is not too masculine for a woman to bear, IMO - it doesn't seem terribly mannish. I guess because of the names Dorothy and Doreen and Doris and all the related Dor names that sort of influence me to think it's more feminine (and the lack of frequent Dor- male names), and because of the unisex-ness of the 'ian' ending.

This message was edited 4/21/2013, 10:13 AM

Love Dorian! ... for a boy only. As a musician, I always think of the Dorian mode.

I like it for a boy, even if it comes off a bit prissy. I don't like it for a girl.

Never heard of Dorian Lord! Dorian Gray is pretty well part of everyday conversation, I think. And, where I live anyway, Dorianne exists and is used, either as a fem form of Dorian or as a merger between Dorothy and Anne. Which just goes to make Dorian totally male in my mind and experience.

I love Dorian! It's dark and grave and suitable for both masculine and effeminate boys. Because of that attribute, I'd consider it passable for both sexes, though I greatly prefer it for boys.

I like Dorian, but it is NOT passable for both sexes.

I like it. It's fairly high up on my list of boys names. I don't like it on a girl but I have seen it used. I've not heard of Dorian Lord but I have read The Picture of Dorian Gray. I liked the name before I read this though, so have not been influenced by any associations.