Dorothea Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Dorothea originates from Greek, meaning 'gift of God'. It has evolved from the ancient form Dorotheos to its modern usage. This name carries traits of generosity and divine blessing. It does not have a specific biblical relevance, but it has been used since early Christian times and gained popularity in the Middle Ages. Today, it is viewed as a classic, often associated with notable figures in various fields.
The name Dorothea is most popular in Massachusetts, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the G.I. Generation generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. 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, Dorothea has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. 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, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Dorothea' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 7201st out of 7552 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 211th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 323rd out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 539th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1118th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 2740th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 5720th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 3082nd out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Dorothea' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Dorothea"
Pronunciation
/ˌdɔːrəˈθiːə/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Dorothea is derived from the Greek name 'Dorotheos', which means 'gift of God'. It is composed of the elements 'doron' meaning 'gift' and 'theos' meaning 'God'.
Meaning
gift of God
Language Evolution
Dorotheos, Dorothea, Dorotea
Historical Usage
Dorothea was used in early Christian communities and became popular in Europe during the Middle Ages, particularly in regions influenced by Greek culture.
Variants & Derivatives
Dorotea, Dora, Dorothy
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Dorothea is considered a classic name, often associated with warmth and kindness. It is appreciated for its historical depth and elegant sound.
Famous People
Dorothea Dix, an American activist, Dorothea Lange, an American documentary photographer, Dorothea Tanning, an American painter and writer
Explore More Dorothea Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Dorothea"
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 "Dorothea"
"Dorothea" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 7201st of 7552 | 6 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 211th of 9107 | 16,736 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 323rd of 9204 | 7,251 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 539th of 12526 | 5,666 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1118th of 19264 | 1,727 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 2740th of 27321 | 649 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 5720th of 35406 | 345 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 3082nd of 30306 | 640 |
Regional Popularity of "Dorothea" 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 "Dorothea" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
11.51% 163rd/1416 |
9.64% 133rd/1379 |
15.89% 376th/2366 |
17.34% 198th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
20.96% 324th/1546 |
12.40% 193rd/1556 |
21.55% 507th/2353 |
26.89% 416th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
25.51% 568th/2227 |
14.40% 350th/2430 |
22.26% 635th/2853 |
27.14% 753rd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
39.70% 1166th/2937 |
21.94% 764th/3483 |
34.65% 1219th/3518 |
41.12% 1663rd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
62.99% 2321st/3685 |
49.72% 2225th/4475 |
86.39% 4487th/5194 |
68.20% 4308th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- |
72.17% 3727th/5164 |
- | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
57.53% 2292nd/3984 |
52.80% 2369th/4487 |
87.73% 5985th/6822 |
52.33% 3284th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Dorothea"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Dorothea" 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.