Dorothy
Dorothy is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Gift of God.
Origin and history
Dorothy is a classic feminine name derived from the Greek name Dorothea, meaning 'gift of God'. It was immensely popular in the United States during the early 20th century, consistently ranking among the top female names. While its usage declined in the late 1900s, it remains an iconic vintage name with significant historical presence.
Popularity in the United States
1,112,231 babies in the United States have been named Dorothy since 1880. It ranks #9 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #456.
States where it is most popular
- PA (8.9 %)
- NY (8.5 %)
- IL (5.7 %)
- TX (5 %)
- OH (4.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 2,088 |
| 1890-1900 | 10,846 |
| 1900-1910 | 39,112 |
| 1910-1920 | 207,475 |
| 1920-1930 | 368,875 |
| 1930-1940 | 210,415 |
| 1940-1950 | 132,257 |
| 1950-1960 | 74,475 |
| 1960-1970 | 33,011 |
| 1970-1980 | 11,664 |
| 1980-1990 | 7,143 |
| 1990-2000 | 4,211 |
| 2000-2010 | 2,717 |
| 2010-2019 | 3,958 |
| 2020-2029 | 3,984 |
Famous people named Dorothy
- Dorothy Hodgkin: Chemist, Nobel Laureate
- Dorothy Parker: Writer, Poet
- Dorothy Dandridge: Actress, Singer
Nicknames
Dot, Dottie, Dolly, Dora
Fun facts
- Dorothy was the second most popular female name in the United States for several years during the 1920s.
- The name achieved lasting pop-culture icon status through Dorothy Gale, the protagonist of L. Frank Baum's 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'.