Dorothy

Pronunciation: [ d-AWR-uhth-ee ]

Girl Name #431 Most Popular Rising 3 Syllables

A gift of God who followed the yellow brick road

Greek English American

Vintage Classic Literary Whimsical Elegant

Meaning & Origin

"gift of God"

Origin: Greek

Language: English

"God's gift"

Origin: Ancient Greek

Language: Greek

The Story of Dorothy

Dorothy comes from the Greek 'Dorothea,' composed of 'doron' (gift) and 'theos' (God) — meaning 'gift of God.' It is essentially the reverse of Theodora (theos + doron), both meaning the same thing. The name was popularized in England through Saint Dorothy, a 4th-century martyr, and became one of the most common English names by the Middle Ages.

Dorothy was a top-5 US name from the 1910s through the 1940s. Its cultural peak came with 'The Wizard of Oz' (1939), where Judy Garland's Dorothy Gale became one of cinema's most beloved heroines. The name then declined through the latter 20th century but is now experiencing a vintage revival.

Dorothy Gale's journey from Kansas to Oz is one of the most iconic narratives in American culture, giving the name associations of adventure, innocence, and the longing for home. 'There's no place like home' has made Dorothy a touchstone of American mythology.

Fun Facts

Dorothy was the #2 most popular US baby name in the 1920s
Judy Garland was only 16 when she played Dorothy in 'The Wizard of Oz' (1939)
Dorothy Parker, the celebrated wit and writer, was born Dorothy Rothschild in 1893

Dorothy in Other Languages

Greek Δωροθέα (Dorothea)

French Dorothée

German Dorothea

Polish Dorota

Italian Dorotea

Spanish Dorotea

Famous People Named Dorothy

Dorothy Dandridge

Actor

1922

American actress who became the first African American nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress

Dorothy Parker

Writer

1893

American poet, writer, and critic known for her sharp wit and membership in the Algonquin Round Table

Dorothy Gale Fictional

Other

Protagonist of L. Frank Baum's 'The Wizard of Oz' series and Judy Garland's iconic film portrayal

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 3
Popularity Rank: #431
Total SSA Count: 714
Cultural Origins: Greek English American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Alternative Spellings

Dorothea #2064

Common Nicknames

Dot Dottie Dora Dory

Pairs Well With

Dorothy Jane Dorothy Rose Dorothy Mae Dorothy Grace Dorothy Louise Dorothy Ann Dorothy Claire

Sibling Names

Eleanor Hazel Mabel Walter Clarence Beatrice Ruth

Also a Boy Name

Dorothy is also used as a boy name, ranked #19894.

View Dorothy as a boy name →

Similar Names

Cora Nora Flora Dorothea Theodora Doris Norah Tabitha

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Dorothy

What does the name Dorothy mean?

"gift of God" (from Greek). "God's gift" (from Ancient Greek). Dorothy comes from the Greek 'Dorothea,' composed of 'doron' (gift) and 'theos' (God) — meaning 'gift of God.' It is essentially the reverse of Theodora (theos + doron), both meaning the same thing. The name was popularized in England through Saint Dorothy, a 4th-century martyr, and became one of the most common English names by the Middle Ages.

What is the origin of the name Dorothy?

Dorothy has Greek, Ancient Greek, English, and American origins. In Greek, it means "gift of God". In Ancient Greek, it means "God's gift".

Is Dorothy a boy or girl name?

Dorothy is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #431. As a boy name, it is ranked #19894. Dorothy is more commonly used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Dorothy?

Dorothy is pronounced d-AWR-uhth-ee.

How popular is the name Dorothy?

Dorothy is currently ranked #431 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Dorothy?

Common nicknames for Dorothy include Dot, Dottie, Dora, and Dory.

What are good middle names for Dorothy?

Popular middle name pairings include Dorothy Jane, Dorothy Rose, Dorothy Mae, Dorothy Grace, Dorothy Louise, Dorothy Ann, and Dorothy Claire.

What are good sibling names for Dorothy?

Names that pair well with Dorothy as siblings include Eleanor, Hazel, Mabel, Walter, Clarence, Beatrice, and Ruth.

How many syllables does Dorothy have?

Dorothy has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.

Is Dorothy a common or rare name?

Dorothy is a popular name, ranked #431 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.

About the Name Dorothy

Dorothy is a girl name with Greek, English, and American origins . The name means "gift of God" in Greek .

Is Dorothy a boy or girl name? Dorothy is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #431 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #19,894. Dorothy is more commonly used as a girl name.

Dorothy is currently ranked #431 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Dorothy has 3 syllables and is pronounced d-AWR-uhth-ee, making it distinctive and memorable.

Common nicknames for Dorothy include Dot, Dottie, Dora, and Dory. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Dorothy include Dorothea . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.