Dorethea Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Dorethea is a name of Greek origin meaning 'gift of God', derived from 'Dorothea'. It has evolved through various languages and forms over the centuries. The name carries connotations of divine generosity and has historical significance through its association with saints. It is not mentioned in the Bible, but reflects a deep cultural heritage. Though considered somewhat archaic today, it remains appreciated for its elegance. Notable figures such as Dorothea Dix and Dorothea Lange have contributed to the name's legacy.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Dorethea"
Pronunciation
/ˌdɔːrəˈθiːə/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Dorethea is derived from the Greek name 'Dorothea', which means 'gift of God'. The name is composed of the elements 'doron', meaning 'gift', and 'theos', meaning 'God'.
Meaning
gift of God
Language Evolution
Dorothea (Greek), Dorethea (Latinized form), Doroteya (Bulgarian variant), Dorothee (French variant)
Biblical Background
The name Dorothea is not directly mentioned in the Bible, but its components relate to the concept of divine gifts.
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in Christian communities during the early medieval period due to its meaning and association with saints, particularly Saint Dorothea of Caesarea, who was venerated in the Christian tradition.
Variants & Derivatives
Dorothea, Dorothy, Dora, Doretha
Modern Popularity & Image
Dorethea is considered an old-fashioned name but has seen a resurgence due to the vintage name trend. It evokes a sense of classic elegance and a connection to heritage.
Famous People
Dorothea Dix, an American activist for the mentally ill, Dorothea Lange, an influential American documentary photographer
📊 Dorethea Name Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Dorethea Name Visualizations
✨ Dorethea Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 32 peak births in 1956
Geographic Spread
Popular across 6 US states, with strongest presence in Louisiana
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 4 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Dorethea"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Dorethea"
"Dorethea" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2449th of 9107 | 231 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2138th of 9204 | 288 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2461st of 12526 | 397 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 6275th of 19264 | 119 |
Regional Popularity of "Dorethea" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Dorethea" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
93.32% 2208th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
64.13% 1509th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
100.00% 2227th/2227 |
95.80% 2328th/2430 |
80.13% 2286th/2853 |
- |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Dorethea"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Dorethea" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Dorethea" in the United States
The name Dorethea is most popular in Louisiana, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Silent Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Dorethea has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South. Across generations, 'Dorethea' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2449th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2138th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2461st out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 6275th out of 19264 names. Discover how the name 'Dorethea' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.