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Dorothy Girl

Popularity: #385 · Trend: ↗ Rising

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)

StateBirthsShare
TX 49
7%
NY 40
6%
CA 38
6%
OH 34
5%
WI 34
5%
IN 29
4%
PA 29
4%
NC 28
4%
IL 26
4%
GA 26
4%
MO 24
4%
FL 22
3%
WA 21
3%
VA 20
3%
AL 18
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
1880112
1881109
1882115
1883141
1884163
1885196
1886230
1887272
1888373
1889377
1890458
1891566
1892626
1893821
18941,052
18951,127
18961,366
18971,472
18981,671
18991,687
19002,491
19012,173
19022,707
19033,078
19043,477
19053,937
19064,326
19074,967
19085,703
19096,253
19107,318
19118,869
191212,645
191314,674
191418,782
191525,154
191627,418
191728,852
191832,030
191931,733
192036,643
192139,087
192237,716
192339,043
192439,996
192538,570
192636,618
192735,993
192833,733
192931,477
193030,409
193126,524
193224,977
193322,052
193421,281
193519,406
193617,666
193716,573
193816,357
193915,169
194014,875
194114,566
194215,035
194314,794
194413,380
194512,323
194612,798
194712,753
194811,322
194910,409
19509,550
19519,090
19528,608
19538,163
19547,790
19557,242
19566,858
19576,405
19585,539
19595,231
19605,076
19614,731
19624,073
19633,796
19643,533
19652,961
19662,664
19672,314
19682,086
19691,776
19701,799
19711,624
19721,274
19731,175
19741,098
1975976
1976982
1977933
1978914
1979890
1980896
1981788
1982829
1983759
1984681
1985719
1986629
1987614
1988608
1989620
1990596
1991497
1992509
1993476
1994443
1995377
1996350
1997316
1998312
1999335
2000314
2001319
2002264
2003292
2004290
2005237
2006267
2007263
2008244
2009227
2010243
2011279
2012279
2013335
2014385
2015398
2016455
2017507
2018529
2019546
2020563
2021649
2022645
2023664
2024714