Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Dorthy
GirlGreek· “variant of Dorothy, gift of God”
- Meaning
- variant of Dorothy, gift of God
- Origin
- Greek
- Pronunciation
- DAWR-thee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #11,191
- US babies 2025
- 8
- Best rank
- #234 (1930)
- Peak year
- 1927
Meaning and origin of Dorthy
Dorthy is a Greek name that means “variant of Dorothy, gift of God”.
Dorthy is a spelling of Dorothy that follows the way the name is often said in two syllables. Dorothy comes from the Greek Dorothea, formed from doron, gift, and theos, god, so it means gift of God. Theodora has the same parts in reverse order. The name spread in Christian Europe through Saint Dorothea of Caesarea and became a staple in English. In the US it was hugely familiar in the early twentieth century, helped by Dorothy Gale of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Dorthy is said DAWR-thee. Dot, Dottie and Dory are the classic nicknames.
Popularity over time
Dorthy first appears in US Social Security records in 1885. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 66 different years, starting in 1885. Its best national rank was #234 in 1930, and the most babies received it in 1927, when 695 were named Dorthy. In 2025, 8 babies were named Dorthy, and it ranked #11,191 nationally. That is 33% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #313 in 1920, #542 in 1950, #2,761 in 1980, #8,737 in 2000, #12,614 in 2010, and #11,191 in 2025. Of the 20,338 US girls named Dorthy since records began, 28% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1930s come next, with 5,178 babies. Since 2010, 119 more have been named Dorthy.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Fay, Mavis, Rhoda, Earline, and Lenore.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Dorthy is usually pronounced DAWR-thee, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with D and ends in “-hy”.
Middle names for Dorthy
A few middle names that flow with Dorthy: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Dorthy
Similar names
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Lists that include Dorthy
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Dorthy mean?
Dorthy is a Greek name that means “variant of Dorothy, gift of God”.
What is the origin of the name Dorthy?
Dorthy has Greek roots. Dorthy is a spelling of Dorothy that follows the way the name is often said in two syllables.
Is Dorthy a popular name?
Not especially. Dorthy ranked #11,191 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Dorthy a boy or girl name?
Dorthy is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Dorthy?
Dorthy is usually pronounced DAWR-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