A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Dorthea since 1882
Babies named Dorthea per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Dorthea's real moment was 1884.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 16 |
| 1890s | 16 |
| 1900s | 48 |
| 1910s | 286 |
| 1920s | 485 |
| 1930s | 262 |
| 1940s | 184 |
| 1950s | 350 |
| 1960s | 329 |
| 1970s | 179 |
| 1980s | 140 |
| 1990s | 90 |
| 2000s | 30 |
| 2010s | 5 |
| 2020s | 17 |
Meaning & origin
Dorthea is a rare feminine name, a variant spelling of the classic Dorothea. It was first recorded in the United States in 1882 and reached its peak rank of 11,932 in 1884, when it was given to about 1 in 229,610 newborns that year. After decades of decline, the name has been rising in usage since 2022, though it remains exceptionally uncommon. The name's enduring appeal lies in its timeless Greek origin meaning 'God's gift', a sentiment that has kept its more common forms like Dorothy in circulation for centuries.
Dorthea is a variant spelling of Dorothea, derived from the Greek elements 'doron' meaning 'gift' and 'theos' meaning 'god', thus signifying 'God's gift'. The name was borne by several early Christian saints, including a 4th-century martyr, and has been used in various forms across Europe since the Middle Ages. The spelling Dorthea is less common but has been in use in the United States since the 19th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Dot, Dottie, Dora, Thea, Dorrie
Sibling names for Dorthea
Names that share Dorthea's style, for a brother or sister.
