A 1930s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Dotty since 1909
Babies named Dotty per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1945, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Dotty's real moment was 1939.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 93 |
| 1920s | 191 |
| 1930s | 327 |
| 1940s | 453 |
| 1950s | 337 |
| 1960s | 199 |
| 1970s | 41 |
| 1980s | 7 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 5 |
| 2010s | 5 |
| 2020s | 30 |
Meaning & origin
Dotty is a diminutive of Dorothy, a name of Greek origin meaning 'gift of God'. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1909 and reached its highest rank in 1939, during the decade of the 1930s. After declining in use for decades, the name has been rising in popularity since 2019, likely part of a broader revival of vintage nickname names. Dotty remains rare, with only about 1 in 229,610 girls given the name in 2025, ranking it 11,932. Its trajectory suggests a modest comeback, appealing to parents seeking a cheerful, retro feel.
Dotty originated as a pet form of Dorothy, which derives from the Greek name Dorothea (δῶρον 'gift' + θεός 'god'). Dorothy was common in England from the 16th century, and Dotty emerged as an affectionate nickname by the 19th century. It became a given name in its own right during the early 20th century, briefly peaking in popularity in the 1930s before declining.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Dot
Variants: Dottie
Sibling names for Dotty
Names that share Dotty's style, for a brother or sister.
