Dorothea, a name resonating with history and grace, carries a profound meaning and a story reflected in its popularity trends over the decades. The name "Dorothea" itself means "Gift of God," derived from the Greek words "doron" (gift) and "theos" (God). This beautiful meaning has contributed to its appeal throughout the 20th century and into the 21st.
Dorothea Name Popularity
How popular is the name Dorothea? Let’s delve into its historical usage and current standing.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides valuable data on name popularity, allowing us to track the ebbs and flows of Dorothea‘s usage. From the early 1900s through the mid-20th century, Dorothea enjoyed a period of relative favor. The provided data clearly illustrates this trend.
| Year | Rank | # Births | % Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1910 | 212 | 262 | 0.0744% |
| 1911 | 182 | 351 | 0.0943% |
| 1912 | 174 | 522 | 0.1035% |
| 1913 | 179 | 613 | 0.1081% |
| 1914 | 182 | 691 | 0.0992% |
| 1915 | 182 | 895 | 0.0985% |
| 1916 | 181 | 997 | 0.1032% |
| 1917 | 180 | 1,050 | 0.105% |
| 1918 | 189 | 1,028 | 0.0958% |
| 1919 | 192 | 963 | 0.092% |
| 1920 | 185 | 1,086 | 0.0977% |
| 1921 | 194 | 1,038 | 0.0906% |
| 1922 | 207 | 902 | 0.081% |
| 1923 | 210 | 899 | 0.0803% |
| 1924 | 206 | 914 | 0.0787% |
| 1925 | 218 | 853 | 0.0755% |
| 1926 | 235 | 728 | 0.0662% |
| 1927 | 246 | 661 | 0.0597% |
| 1928 | 255 | 593 | 0.0554% |
| 1929 | 266 | 535 | 0.0517% |
| 1930 | 243 | 606 | 0.058% |
| 1931 | 280 | 450 | 0.0456% |
| 1932 | 299 | 404 | 0.0409% |
| 1933 | 309 | 360 | 0.0386% |
| 1934 | 299 | 392 | 0.0406% |
| 1935 | 306 | 360 | 0.037% |
| 1936 | 332 | 307 | 0.0319% |
| 1937 | 378 | 244 | 0.0248% |
| 1938 | 385 | 255 | 0.0249% |
| 1939 | 369 | 274 | 0.0269% |
| 1940 | 348 | 303 | 0.0285% |
| 1941 | 414 | 231 | 0.0205% |
| 1942 | 395 | 284 | 0.0225% |
| 1943 | 407 | 277 | 0.0212% |
| 1944 | 421 | 245 | 0.0198% |
| 1945 | 476 | 177 | 0.0145% |
| 1946 | 461 | 242 | 0.0164% |
| 1947 | 469 | 264 | 0.0158% |
| 1948 | 485 | 228 | 0.0143% |
| 1949 | 432 | 289 | 0.018% |
| 1950 | 461 | 262 | 0.0163% |
| 1951 | 499 | 228 | 0.0134% |
| 1952 | 476 | 266 | 0.0152% |
| 1953 | 510 | 243 | 0.0137% |
| 1954 | 512 | 253 | 0.0138% |
| 1955 | 522 | 265 | 0.0144% |
| 1956 | 551 | 239 | 0.0127% |
| 1957 | 546 | 263 | 0.0137% |
| 1958 | 582 | 241 | 0.0128% |
| 1959 | 586 | 238 | 0.0125% |
| 1960 | 593 | 234 | 0.0124% |
| 1961 | 575 | 256 | 0.0136% |
| 1962 | 557 | 264 | 0.0144% |
| 1963 | 614 | 219 | 0.0122% |
| 1964 | 622 | 216 | 0.0123% |
| 1965 | 681 | 161 | 0.0098% |
| 1966 | 655 | 169 | 0.0108% |
| 1967 | 732 | 132 | 0.0087% |
| 1968 | 779 | 117 | 0.0078% |
| 1969 | 845 | 100 | 0.0065% |
| 1970 | 1016 | 71 | 0.0045% |
| 1971 | 1091 | 61 | 0.0041% |
| 1972 | 1118 | 53 | 0.0039% |
| 1973 | 1743 | 17 | 0.0013% |
| 1974 | 1587 | 22 | 0.0017% |
| 1975 | 1581 | 25 | 0.0019% |
| 1976 | 2129 | 10 | 0.0008% |
| 1977 | 1702 | 22 | 0.0016% |
| 1978 | 1879 | 17 | 0.0013% |
| 1979 | 2582 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1980 | 2121 | 14 | 0.001% |
| 1981 | 2005 | 17 | 0.0012% |
| 1982 | 1870 | 21 | 0.0014% |
| 1983 | 2056 | 15 | 0.001% |
| 1984 | 2114 | 15 | 0.001% |
| 1985 | 3066 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1986 | 2545 | 10 | 0.0007% |
| 1987 | N/A | 0 | 0% |
| 1988 | 2010 | 21 | 0.0013% |
| 1989 | N/A | 0 | 0% |
| 1990 | 3672 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1991 | N/A | 0 | 0% |
| 1992 | 3144 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1993 | 2698 | 12 | 0.0008% |
| 1994 | N/A | 0 | 0% |
| 1995 | N/A | 0 | 0% |
| 1996 | N/A | 0 | 0% |
| 1997 | N/A | 0 | 0% |
| 1998 | 2972 | 9 | 0.0006% |
| 1999 | N/A | 0 | 0% |
| 2000 | N/A | 0 | 0% |
| 2001 | N/A | 0 | 0% |
| 2002 | N/A | 0 | 0% |
| 2003 | N/A | 0 | 0% |
| 2004 | 3724 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2005 | N/A | 0 | 0% |
| 2006 | N/A | 0 | 0% |
| 2007 | N/A | 0 | 0% |
| 2008 | 3586 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 2009 | N/A | 0 | 0% |
| 2010 | N/A | 0 | 0% |
| 2011 | N/A | 0 | 0% |
| 2012 | N/A | 0 | 0% |
| 2013 | N/A | 0 | 0% |
| 2014 | N/A | 0 | 0% |
| 2015 | 3186 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 2016 | 2871 | 10 | 0.0007% |
| 2017 | 3135 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 2018 | 2286 | 20 | 0.0015% |
| 2019 | 3211 | 5 | 0.0004% |
| 2020 | 2835 | 20 | 0.0016% |
| 2021 | 2815 | 20 | 0.0016% |
| 2022 | 3086 | 18 | 0.0014% |
| 2023 | 2770 | 24 | 0.0019% |
As the data shows, the name’s popularity began to decline in the latter half of the century, reaching lower ranks. However, in recent years (2018-2023), there’s a subtle indication of a potential resurgence, with the number of births and percentage of births showing a slight increase, particularly in 2023 with 24 births. This could reflect a renewed interest in classic and meaningful names.
The graph illustrating the name’s prevalence in Washington D.C. provides a localized view of its usage, although the relatively small sample size makes it difficult to draw definitive conclusions about broader trends.
Names Like Dorothea
If you’re drawn to the elegance and history of Dorothea, you might also appreciate these similar names:
Diminutives of Dorothea
These shorter, affectionate forms capture a similar essence:
- Doll: A simple and sweet diminutive, also meaning "Gift of God."
- Dollie: A charming and classic variation of Doll.
- Dolly: Another endearing form of Dollie.
- Dora: A common and widely recognized short form, also meaning "gift."
- Dot: A cute and vintage diminutive.
- Dotty: A playful and slightly more elaborate version of Dot.
Names That Sound Like Dorothea
These names share a similar phonetic quality:
- Dorotea: A direct variant, maintaining the original meaning and sound.
- Dorotha: Another closely related variant.
- Dorothee: A slightly different spelling with the same pronunciation and meaning.
- Dorthea: A simplified spelling option.
Similar Names
These names possess a similar feel and origin:
- Doritha: A slightly less common but equally meaningful variation.
- Dorota: A Polish form of the name, sharing the "Gift of God" meaning.
- Dortha: A variant spelling of Dorothea.
The enduring appeal of Dorothea lies in its beautiful meaning, its historical significance, and the array of charming variations and similar-sounding names it inspires. Whether you’re drawn to its classic elegance or its spiritual connotation, Dorothea remains a timeless choice. The slight uptick in recent years may indicate a new generation rediscovering the beauty of this "Gift of God."