Dorothy

“Gift of God”

English origin · Girl name

♂ 0% boys♀ 100% girls

#462US 2023

664Births / yr

↑Rising

1112.4kAll-time births

📅 Since 1880🏆 72 years in top 1003.06% of births at peak

How to pronounce Dorothy

DAW·ruth·ee

/ˈdɔ.rəθ.iː/ · stress on DAW · 2 syllables

“Gift of God”

English origin · Girl name

What does Dorothy mean and where does it come from?

Dorothy originates from the Greek name 'Dorothea' (Δωροθέα), where 'doron' means 'gift' and 'theos' means 'God'. The name became popular in English-speaking countries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was notably used in L. Frank Baum's book 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz', published in 190

Cultural significance

Dorothy has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in English-speaking communities, where it reflects values of gift of god.

Peak popularity

Reached #2 in 1920 — currently #462 in the US.

🌿

How else can you spell Dorothy?

Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive

Dorthy

Spelling variant

What middle names flow best with Dorothy?

Dorothy works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Dorothy Grace

How popular is Dorothy right now?

Rising — up 25 spots — currently #462 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1880–2023#462 · Top 0.34%

1965

1970

1975

1980

1985

1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

2015

2020

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#462	664	▲ up 25 · +3% births
2022	#487	645	▼ down 4 · -1% births
2021	#483	649	▲ up 50 · +16% births
2020	#533	559	▲ up 181 · +41% births
2015	#714	397	▲ up 314 · +64% births
2010	#1028	242	▼ down 2 · +3% births
2005	#1026	236	▼ down 288 · -25% births
2000	#738	313	▼ down 141 · -17% births
1995	#597	377	▼ down 171 · -37% births
1990	#426	596	▼ down 94 · -17% births
1985	#332	719	▼ down 54 · -20% births
1980	#278	895	▼ down 28 · -8% births
1975	#250	974	▼ down 70 · -46% births
1970	#180	1,799	▼ down 50 · -39% births
1965	#130	2,960	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Dorothy

Best Year1920Rank #2

Peak Count38,570

Average Rank#284

Current Trend↘Falling

Data Range1900 - 202328 years

The story of Dorothy

Dorothy has been a beloved American name for over 144 years, first appearing in Social Security records in 1880. It peaked at #2 in 1920, placing it among the top 10 most popular names. Over 1112K babies have been given this name — a true American classic. Once ranked #139 in 1880, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #462 in 2023. Dorothy is used for both genders: 100% female and 0% male.

Names that peaked alongside Dorothy in 1920:

Mary Helen Margaret Ruth Mildred

Dorothy by decade

Dorothy peaked in the 1920s. See all 1920s names →

Decade	Births
1880s	2,088
1890s	10,872
1900s	39,248
1910s	207,957
1920s ★	369,875
1930s	211,507
1940s	132,754
1950s	74,709
1960s	33,140
1970s	11,686
1980s	7,165
1990s	4,212
2000s	2,710
2010s	3,932
2020s	559

What are good nicknames for Dorothy?

CROATIAN

DoraTea

DANISH

DitteDoritEaTeaThea

DUTCH

Dora

ENGLISH

DeeDodieDollieDollyDoraDoreanDoreenDorettaDorindaDorineDoritaDoryDotDottieDottyThea

What names sound and feel like Dorothy?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Dorothy also consider these

Dorithy

English · Greek

Dorethy

English · A beloved name

Dorthy

American · gift of God

Orothy

American · A variant of

Darathy

American · gift from God

American · worthy or deserving

How is Dorothy written in other languages?

What are the boy versions of Dorothy?

Dorotheos GREEK Dorotheos LATE GREEK Dorotheus LATE ROMAN Dorofei RUSSIAN Dorofey RUSSIAN Doria ENGLISH

Common questions about the name Dorothy

What does the name Dorothy mean?

Dorothy means "Gift of God" — a name rooted in English tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Dorothy?

Dorothy is currently ranked #462 in the United States as a baby name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Dorothy have increased significantly in recent years.

What is the cultural origin of Dorothy?

Dorothy originates from English tradition. English names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Dorothy?

Dorothy is a two-syllable name pronounced D AO1 R AH0 TH IY0. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

Is Dorothy trending right now?

Dorothy is currently on the rise — it has gained significant momentum in recent years as parents discover its appeal.