Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Dorothea
GirlGreek· “gift of God”
- Meaning
- gift of God
- Origin
- Greek
- Pronunciation
- dawr-uh-THEE-uh
- Syllables
- 4
- US rank 2025
- #1,782
- US babies 2025
- 113
- Best rank
- #174 (1912)
- Peak year
- 1920
Meaning and origin of Dorothea
Dorothea is a Greek name that means “gift of God”.
Dorothea is a Greek name meaning gift of God, from doron, gift, and theos, god. It was borne by Saint Dorothea of Caesarea, an early martyr whose legend involves roses and apples sent from paradise. The name was used in German and Scandinavian countries and became popular in England in the Victorian era. George Eliot gave it to Dorothea Brooke, the idealistic heroine of Middlemarch. It is said dawr-uh-THEE-uh. Dorothy is the English form and Theodora reverses the same elements. Thea, Dora and Dot are its classic short forms, each of which has also stood as a name of its own.
Popularity over time
Dorothea has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 91 different years. Its best national rank was #174 in 1912, and the most babies received it in 1920, when 1,110 were named Dorothea. In 2025, 113 babies were named Dorothea, and it ranked #1,782 nationally. That is 197% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #187 in 1920, #463 in 1950, #2,107 in 1980, #6,016 in 2000, #6,243 in 2010, and #1,782 in 2025. Of the 34,421 US girls named Dorothea since records began, 25% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 7,750 babies. Since 2010, 809 more have been named Dorothea.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Cleo, Essie, Angeline, May, and Effie.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Dorothea ranked highest in Washington, Pennsylvania, and Georgia.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | #954 | 6 |
| Pennsylvania | #1041 | 8 |
| Georgia | #1107 | 8 |
| Illinois | #1467 | 5 |
| New York | #1886 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Dorothea is usually pronounced dawr-uh-THEE-uh, with four syllables. It has eight letters, starts with D and ends in “-ea”.
Middle names for Dorothea
A few middle names that flow with Dorothea: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Dorothea
Similar names
Philomena Girl
fih-luh-MEE-nuh
“loved, beloved (Greek)” · Greek
#1,920
Caterina Girl
kat-uh-REE-nuh
“Italian form of Catherine” · Italian
#4,679
Anastasia Girl
an-uh-STAY-zhuh
“resurrection” · Greek
#163
Catalina Girl
ka-tuh-LEE-nuh
“Spanish form of Katherine; often linked to pure” · Spanish
#111
Veronica Girl
vur-AH-nih-kuh
“true image; or bringer of victory” · Latin
#427
Theodora Girl
thee-uh-DAWR-uh
“gift of God” · Greek
#726
Agnes Girl
AG-nihs
“chaste, holy” · Greek
#1,016
Althea Girl
al-THEE-uh
“healing” · Greek
#1,299
Georgiana Girl
jawr-jee-AN-uh
“feminine of George, farmer” · English
#1,418
Inez Girl
eye-NEHZ
“Spanish form of Agnes, pure” · Spanish
#1,400
Agatha Girl
A-guh-thuh
“good” · Greek
#1,703
Basil Unisex
BAZ-uhl
“royal, kingly” · Greek
#2,022
Lists that include Dorothea
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Dorothea mean?
Dorothea is a Greek name that means “gift of God”.
What is the origin of the name Dorothea?
Dorothea has Greek roots. Dorothea is a Greek name meaning gift of God, from doron, gift, and theos, god.
Is Dorothea a popular name?
Not especially. Dorothea ranked #1,782 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Dorothea a boy or girl name?
Dorothea is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Dorothea?
Dorothea is usually pronounced dawr-uh-THEE-uh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings