Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Dorothy
GirlGreek, English· “gift of God”
- Meaning
- gift of God
- Origin
- Greek, English
- Pronunciation
- DAW-ruh-thee
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #421
- US babies 2025
- 743
- Best rank
- #2 (1920)
- Peak year
- 1924
Meaning and origin of Dorothy
Dorothy is a Greek and English name that means “gift of God”.
Dorothy is the English form of the Greek Dorothea, made from doron, "gift," and theos, "god," meaning "gift of God." The same elements appear in reverse order in Theodore. Saint Dorothea of Caesarea was an early martyr whose legend was popular in the Middle Ages. In literature, Dorothy Gale of L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz gave the name a brave, homespun image. Dorothy was very popular in the early twentieth century and is now returning as a vintage choice. Dot, Dottie, Dolly and Thea are traditional nicknames.
Popularity over time
Dorothy 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 141 different years. Its best national rank was #2 in 1920, and the most babies received it in 1924, when 39,996 were named Dorothy. In 2025, 743 babies were named Dorothy, and it ranked #421 nationally. That is 87% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #2 in 1920, #35 in 1950, #278 in 1980, #737 in 2000, #1,027 in 2010, and #421 in 2025. Of the 1,112,231 US girls named Dorothy since records began, 33% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1930s come next, with 210,415 babies. Since 2010, 7,942 more have been named Dorothy.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Dorothy ranked highest in Alaska, New Hampshire, and Montana.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | #117 | 6 |
| New Hampshire | #141 | 9 |
| Montana | #149 | 7 |
| Delaware | #185 | 5 |
| Missouri | #213 | 29 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Dorothy is usually pronounced DAW-ruh-thee, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with D and ends in “-hy”.
Middle names for Dorothy
A few middle names that flow with Dorothy: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Dorothy
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Lists that include Dorothy
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Dorothy mean?
Dorothy is a Greek and English name that means “gift of God”.
What is the origin of the name Dorothy?
Dorothy has Greek and English roots. Dorothy is the English form of the Greek Dorothea, made from doron, "gift," and theos, "god," meaning "gift of God." The same elements appear in reverse order in Theodore.
Is Dorothy a popular name?
Yes. Dorothy ranked #421 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Dorothy a boy or girl name?
Dorothy is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Dorothy?
Dorothy is usually pronounced DAW-ruh-thee. 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