Declining since 1985, #10,917 for girls today.
Popularity of Dorthy since 1885
Babies named Dorthy per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 19 |
| 1890s | 72 |
| 1900s | 347 |
| 1910s | 2,125 |
| 1920s | 5,748 |
| 1930s | 5,178 |
| 1940s | 3,345 |
| 1950s | 1,828 |
| 1960s | 795 |
| 1970s | 343 |
| 1980s | 212 |
| 1990s | 129 |
| 2000s | 78 |
| 2010s | 72 |
| 2020s | 47 |
Meaning & origin
Dorthy is a variant spelling of Dorothy, a name that reached peak popularity in the early 20th century. In 1930, the name Dorothy (including all spellings) was at its height, but the Dorthy spelling itself was far less common. The first recorded use of Dorthy in U.S. Social Security data is 1885, and since 1985 its trajectory has been falling. By 2025, Dorthy ranked 10,917th nationally, with an incidence of roughly 1 in 200,908 births. This spelling is now exceedingly rare, more of a historical curiosity than a contemporary choice. The name's enduring association with the classic American tale of 'The Wizard of Oz' gives it a nostalgic quality, but modern parents overwhelmingly prefer the standard Dorothy spelling.
Dorthy is a variant spelling of Dorothy, which comes from the Greek name Dorothea, meaning 'gift of God.' The name Dorothy has been widely used in English-speaking countries since the 16th century, with a boost in popularity from the character in L. Frank Baum's 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' (1900). The Dorthy spelling appears as a less common phonetic variant.
Where Dorthy is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Dot, Dottie, Dora, Dory
Sibling names for Dorthy
Names that share Dorthy's style, for a brother or sister.
