Dorothea
Dorothea is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Gift of God.
Origin and history
Dorothea is a female name of Ancient Greek origin meaning 'gift of God'. It enjoyed significant popularity in the United States during the early-to-mid 20th century and remains a classic vintage option. It shares the same etymological roots as Theodore, with the elements reversed.
Popularity in the United States
34,421 babies in the United States have been named Dorothea since 1880. It ranks #755 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1637.
States where it is most popular
- NY (17.8 %)
- PA (12 %)
- MA (7.8 %)
- IL (6.6 %)
- NJ (6.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 347 |
| 1890-1900 | 807 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,810 |
| 1910-1920 | 7,750 |
| 1920-1930 | 8,518 |
| 1930-1940 | 4,180 |
| 1940-1950 | 3,111 |
| 1950-1960 | 3,008 |
| 1960-1970 | 2,326 |
| 1970-1980 | 768 |
| 1980-1990 | 478 |
| 1990-2000 | 299 |
| 2000-2010 | 210 |
| 2010-2019 | 345 |
| 2020-2029 | 464 |
Famous people named Dorothea
- Dorothea Lange: Photographer, Photojournalist
- Dorothea Dix: Activist, Reformer
Nicknames
Dottie, Dot, Thea, Dora
Fun facts
- Dorothea is formed from the Greek elements doron (gift) and theos (god), which are the exact same roots used in Theodore in reverse order.
- Documentary photographer Dorothea Lange captured iconic images of American life during the Great Depression, including the famous 'Migrant Mother'.