Dorothy Girl
Origin(s)
PronunciationDOR-uh-thee / /ˈdɔːr.ə.θi/Greek; English
Meaning
Greek: Gift of God; English: Gift
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Dorothy has its roots in the Greek name Dōrothéa, which is derived from the elements "dōron," meaning "gift," and "theos," meaning "God." This etymological combination translates to "gift of God." The name was adopted into Latin as Dorothea, which later made its way into Old French before entering the English language in the Middle Ages. The transition into English was facilitated by the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, during which many Latin and French names were integrated into English usage.
Historically, the name Dorothy has been borne by several notable figures, including saints and early Christian martyrs. One of the most significant early references is Saint Dorothy of Caesarea, a Christian martyr who is believed to have died in the 4th century. Her story was popularized in various hagiographies, contributing to the name's spread throughout Christian Europe. The name gained further prominence with the translation of the Bible into English, particularly in the King James Version published in 1611, which helped solidify its place in English-speaking cultures.
Culturally, the name Dorothy has been associated with various symbolic meanings, often reflecting themes of faith and divine providence. It has appeared in literature and folklore, most notably in L. Frank Baum's "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," published in 1900, where the character Dorothy Gale represents innocence and the quest for home. The name has also inspired various diminutive forms, such as Dot and Dolly, which have been used affectionately throughout history. Overall, Dorothy's enduring legacy can be attributed to its rich linguistic heritage and its connections to significant historical and cultural narratives.
Trend Summary
Dorothy experienced significant popularity in the early to mid-20th century but has seen a decline in usage in recent decades.
Similar Names
Variants
- Dottie
- Dot
International Variants
- Dorotea (Spanish)
- Dorothée (French)
- Dorota (Polish)
- Dorottya (Hungarian)
Famous people named Dorothy
Dorothy Parker was a writer and poet best known for her wit, the Algonquin Round Table, and her works such as 'Enough Rope'.
Dorothy Lamour was an actress best known for her roles in the 'Road to...' films and 'The Hurricane'.
Dorothy Dandridge was an actress and singer best known for her role in 'Carmen Jones' and being the first African American nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress.
Fictional characters named Dorothy
Dorothy Gale is a fictional character from the novel and film The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. She is a young girl who is swept away to the magical land of Oz and embarks on a journey to return home with the help of her friends.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Dorothy was first seen in the United States in 1880. Dorothy has ranked as high as #6 nationally, which occurred in 1924, and has been most popular in Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois, Ohio, and Michigan. In the past 5 years the name Dorothy has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Dorothy (2024)
State | Births | Share |
---|---|---|
TX | 49 | |
NY | 40 | |
CA | 38 | |
OH | 34 | |
WI | 34 | |
IN | 29 | |
PA | 29 | |
NC | 28 | |
IL | 26 | |
GA | 26 | |
MO | 24 | |
FL | 22 | |
WA | 21 | |
VA | 20 | |
AL | 18 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
Year | Births |
---|---|
1880 | 112 |
1881 | 109 |
1882 | 115 |
1883 | 141 |
1884 | 163 |
1885 | 196 |
1886 | 230 |
1887 | 272 |
1888 | 373 |
1889 | 377 |
1890 | 458 |
1891 | 566 |
1892 | 626 |
1893 | 821 |
1894 | 1,052 |
1895 | 1,127 |
1896 | 1,366 |
1897 | 1,472 |
1898 | 1,671 |
1899 | 1,687 |
1900 | 2,491 |
1901 | 2,173 |
1902 | 2,707 |
1903 | 3,078 |
1904 | 3,477 |
1905 | 3,937 |
1906 | 4,326 |
1907 | 4,967 |
1908 | 5,703 |
1909 | 6,253 |
1910 | 7,318 |
1911 | 8,869 |
1912 | 12,645 |
1913 | 14,674 |
1914 | 18,782 |
1915 | 25,154 |
1916 | 27,418 |
1917 | 28,852 |
1918 | 32,030 |
1919 | 31,733 |
1920 | 36,643 |
1921 | 39,087 |
1922 | 37,716 |
1923 | 39,043 |
1924 | 39,996 |
1925 | 38,570 |
1926 | 36,618 |
1927 | 35,993 |
1928 | 33,733 |
1929 | 31,477 |
1930 | 30,409 |
1931 | 26,524 |
1932 | 24,977 |
1933 | 22,052 |
1934 | 21,281 |
1935 | 19,406 |
1936 | 17,666 |
1937 | 16,573 |
1938 | 16,357 |
1939 | 15,169 |
1940 | 14,875 |
1941 | 14,566 |
1942 | 15,035 |
1943 | 14,794 |
1944 | 13,380 |
1945 | 12,323 |
1946 | 12,798 |
1947 | 12,753 |
1948 | 11,322 |
1949 | 10,409 |
1950 | 9,550 |
1951 | 9,090 |
1952 | 8,608 |
1953 | 8,163 |
1954 | 7,790 |
1955 | 7,242 |
1956 | 6,858 |
1957 | 6,405 |
1958 | 5,539 |
1959 | 5,231 |
1960 | 5,076 |
1961 | 4,731 |
1962 | 4,073 |
1963 | 3,796 |
1964 | 3,533 |
1965 | 2,961 |
1966 | 2,664 |
1967 | 2,314 |
1968 | 2,086 |
1969 | 1,776 |
1970 | 1,799 |
1971 | 1,624 |
1972 | 1,274 |
1973 | 1,175 |
1974 | 1,098 |
1975 | 976 |
1976 | 982 |
1977 | 933 |
1978 | 914 |
1979 | 890 |
1980 | 896 |
1981 | 788 |
1982 | 829 |
1983 | 759 |
1984 | 681 |
1985 | 719 |
1986 | 629 |
1987 | 614 |
1988 | 608 |
1989 | 620 |
1990 | 596 |
1991 | 497 |
1992 | 509 |
1993 | 476 |
1994 | 443 |
1995 | 377 |
1996 | 350 |
1997 | 316 |
1998 | 312 |
1999 | 335 |
2000 | 314 |
2001 | 319 |
2002 | 264 |
2003 | 292 |
2004 | 290 |
2005 | 237 |
2006 | 267 |
2007 | 263 |
2008 | 244 |
2009 | 227 |
2010 | 243 |
2011 | 279 |
2012 | 279 |
2013 | 335 |
2014 | 385 |
2015 | 398 |
2016 | 455 |
2017 | 507 |
2018 | 529 |
2019 | 546 |
2020 | 563 |
2021 | 649 |
2022 | 645 |
2023 | 664 |
2024 | 714 |