Holding steady.
Popularity of Dorotea since 1896
Babies named Dorotea per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1922, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Dorotea's real moment was 1896.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 5 |
| 1900s | 10 |
| 1910s | 23 |
| 1920s | 36 |
| 1930s | 13 |
| 1940s | 6 |
| 1950s | 16 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 16 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 5 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Dorotea is a name with ancient Greek roots, meaning 'gift of God'. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1896, when it saw its peak usage with 5 births. The name has remained exceptionally rare, never ranking in the top 1,000, and its trajectory has been stable, meaning it has seen very few births each year since. While it has no recorded top states, its usage has been scattered across the country. Dorotea is a classic name with a strong religious heritage, often associated with the saint Dorothea of Caesarea. Though less common than its English variant Dorothy, Dorotea retains a distinctly Mediterranean and Latinate feel. It offers the familiar nickname Dora, and its elegant, multi-syllabic sound makes it a distinctive choice for families seeking a name with deep historical roots.
Dorotea is a feminine form of the Greek name Dorotheos, composed of 'doron' meaning 'gift' and 'theos' meaning 'god'. The name was borne by several early saints, including Dorothea of Caesarea, a 4th-century martyr. It spread across Europe in various forms, often associated with Christian tradition. In some Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking cultures, Dorotea has been used since the Middle Ages.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Dora, Tea, Dorita
Sibling names for Dorotea
Names that share Dorotea's style, for a brother or sister.
