Dorothy: Name Meaning, Origin, and Popularity

Pronunciation: do-hro-hthe-e
Origin: Greece
gender-female

Emmy Samtani

Emmy Samtani

Emmy is the founder of Kiindred and mother to 3 little ones. Over the last 4 years, she has worked with some of the most credible experts in the parenting space and is a keen contributor on all things parenthood.
Updated on Aug 14, 2024 · 2 mins read
Region Origin: Europe
Meaning: Gift of God

Dorothy is a female given name of Greek origin, meaning "gift of God". It is the English vernacular form of the Greek name Δωροθέα (Dōrothéa), which is derived from δῶρον (dōron), meaning "gift," and θεός (theós), meaning "god". The name Dorothy has been in use since the 1400s and has inspired many sweet nicknames, including Dot, Dolly, and Dotty. The name Dorothy is associated with various notable people and fictional characters. One famous bearer is St. Dorothea, who was martyred at the beginning of the 4th century. Another well-known Dorothy is the young heroine of 'The Wizard of Oz', played by Judy Garland in the film. The name Dorothy has been a popular choice in Britain since the 16th century and has been used by various cultures, including English, Greek, and Latin.

Dorothy Name Popularity Data

chat-overall Dorothy is currently #615 in the popularity of the name rankings.
gender-female Girl: Dorothy is currently #319 on Kiindred Girl Names
gender-male Overall Nature: Dorothy is currently #162 on Kiindred Nature Names
gender-female Girl Nature: Dorothy is currently #100 on Kiindred Girl Nature Names
gender-male Overall Unique: Dorothy is currently #606 on Kiindred Unique Names
gender-female Girl Unique: Dorothy is currently #317 on Kiindred Girl Unique Names

Popularity Trend Chart

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Famous People Named Dorothy

This section lists notable individuals and public figures named Dorothy, showcasing their achievements and contributions in various fields.

  • Dorothy Dandridge: Dorothy Dandridge was an American actress, singer, and dancer known for being the first African American actress to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in "Carmen Jones." She passed away in 1965.
  • Dorothy Parker: Dorothy Parker was an American poet, writer, critic, and satirist known for her wit, wisecracks, and contributions to The New Yorker. She passed away in 1967.
  • Dorothy Height: Dorothy Height was an American civil rights and women's rights activist known for her leadership in the National Council of Negro Women and her work alongside Martin Luther King Jr. She passed away in 2010.
  • Dorothy Hodgkin: Dorothy Hodgkin was a British chemist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1964 for her work on the structure of important biochemical substances using X-ray crystallography. She passed away in 1994.

 

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