Dorothy

Meaning & origin

Dorothy is a name of Greek origin meaning "gift of God." It entered the English-speaking world through the veneration of Saint Dorothea, a 4th-century martyr. The name has a deep history but is perhaps most familiar to modern ears through the beloved character Dorothy Gale from L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. In the United States, Dorothy was a top 10 name for girls for over two decades, peaking at #2 in 1923, when it was given to nearly 3% of all baby girls. Its usage declined steadily after the 1940s, and by 2009 it had fallen to its lowest rank since record-keeping began. However, the name has been rising again since 2009, a trend that aligns with the revival of other vintage names from the 1920s. In 2025, Dorothy ranked #421 nationally, with about 1 in every 2,163 baby girls receiving the name. It is most popular in Alaska, Montana, and New Hampshire, reflecting a stronger preference in Northern and less densely populated states. While it may never return to the heights of its early 20th-century fame, Dorothy's steady climb suggests it is once again finding favor with parents seeking a classic name with both literary and historical resonance.

Dorothy is the English form of the Late Greek name Dorothea, composed of the elements doron (gift) and theos (God). The name was borne by a 4th-century virgin martyr, Saint Dorothea of Caesarea, and became widely used in Christian Europe during the Middle Ages. It enjoyed particular popularity in England from the 16th century onward and saw a revival in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, becoming one of the most common names for girls in the United States in the 1920s.