I was reading some entries and comments on the name [name_f]Dora[/name_f] and was surprised by how many people dislike it and flee from it like the plague. It’s such a great name, surely it can’t be just because of a children’s cartoon… And what’s wrong with the cartoon anyway? I’m just really curious and slightly annoyed, so please forgive my little rant!
Personally I don’t think there’s anything wrong. [name_f]Dora[/name_f] to me has that old vintage nicknamey feel, with enough substance to stand on its own. I think it’s adorable
I’d say it’s less the cartoon, more overexposure to the cartoon (ie, how my mother would have felt about “[name_m]Barney[/name_m]” twenty years ago, even if she’d otherwise like it: one can only take so much). That said, I don’t have any children to torture me with the show, so [name_f]Dora[/name_f] is still quite charming to me! I do prefer it as a nickname to [name_f]Isadora[/name_f], though.
I think [name_f]Dora[/name_f] is a beautiful vintage name, but for me it is very strongly associated with the cartoon so I probably wouldn’t use it. Of course there’s nothing wrong with the cartoon, but when an association is really strong like that I think it can be hard to look past, if that makes any sense. Although, I had the exact same issue with the name [name_m]Arthur[/name_m] and I did eventually get over that, so maybe I will with [name_f]Dora[/name_f] too! Who knows.
Nohing wrong with [name_f]Dora[/name_f] in my opinion. I love a lot of -dora names, including my favourite name, and I wouldn’t mind if it emerged as a nickname. I particularly like the meaning. I think what puts some people off is the cartoon to some extent. It’s not bad to my knowledge (I’ve never really watched it) but it’s a bit of an unwanted connection I guess. And I think despite being a lovely vintage name, it’s more heavy sound might not appeal as much as other more in trend vintage options. But, so what, it’s a great name, and I’ve searched a lot of names, and most seem to get mainly bad reviews, unless they’re particularly popular or on trend.
I admittedly avoid [name_f]Dora[/name_f] names. Nothing wrong with it, just totally not my style. 
I don’t think the distaste for [name_f]Dora[/name_f] stems from the cartoon, more from the general attitude of [name_f]Do[/name_f]- names being clunky and dated. At least, this is my guess. It falls in a little too close with [name_f]Doris[/name_f], [name_f]Donna[/name_f], and [name_f]Dolores[/name_f]. I personally don’t care for it because it sounds plain to me. I feel the same about [name_f]Cora[/name_f] and [name_f]Nora[/name_f], they all just seem bland.
Everyone has their own taste, but it just doesn’t seem special enough. Again, that is just me. It’s not a bad name… it just doesn’t grab me like other names do.
Not to be mean, but I just honestly don’t find anything beautiful about it. It’s not an attractive name, [name_f]IMO[/name_f]. Of course, I do think of the cartoon. I was tortured with it for so…so…long (younger siblings, niece, and so on). There’s just something about it…I’d rather name my child [name_m]Barney[/name_m].
Then again, we all have our own opinions and preferences. Many people on here don’t like my own name and don’t think that some of the names I post about are good choices, but to each their own. I’d just learn to take things with a grain of salt and appreciate that we are able to give honest feedback on here, even if it doesn’t go our way 
I want to like [name_f]Dora[/name_f] for her similarity to Door, a character I love but wouldn’t use the name of.
However, [name_f]Dora[/name_f] is the name of the mean stepsister in my favourite [name_f]Cinderella[/name_f] version which I see every [name_u]Christmas[/name_u]. I really want to pass that tradition on to my children and could never use [name_f]Dora[/name_f].
Also, I actually don’t care for many D names. It’s one of my least favourite initials. (J and G as well)
Nothing wrong with the name/show itself, but the name [name_f]Dora[/name_f] is still strongly associated with it. For a lot of people, it’s the only place they’ve heard the name. It is extremely hard to make the disconnection but maybe over time. Like [name_u]Ariel[/name_u]. It’s a pretty name but just reminds everyone of only mermaids.
Not a damn thing! I love it.
I can’t see anything wrong with it, but when I mentioned it to someone, they immediately said they hated it…which I don’t understand. Unless it’s the cartoon that puts them off.
[name_f]Dora[/name_f] is tolerable as a nickname for [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f] but I dislike it on its own. As for the cartoon, it is very annoying.
[name_f]Dora[/name_f] is a lovely name! Right up there with [name_f]Cora[/name_f], [name_f]Margot[/name_f] and [name_f]Nancy[/name_f] for me.
In the 1920s a dumb dora was slang for a foolish woman, according to Wikipedia. The term was later used as the name of a cartoon featuring a not-so-bright woman. I associate [name_f]Dora[/name_f] w/the prim & proper twin from [name_f]Anne[/name_f] of [name_u]Green[/name_u] Gables. Although I don’t care for it on its own, I do love [name_f]Isadora[/name_f] & [name_f]Theodora[/name_f], but would never use [name_f]Dora[/name_f] as a nn.
Overlooking the cartoon association and over-exposure for a minute:
The ‘door’ in [name_f]Dora[/name_f] sounds very harsh and ugly to me like the name helga or gertie. It sounds like a name for an ogre.
It’s also boring and she won’t feel unique. First impressions count for a lot and she may get ignored in life.