Dot Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Dot is an English name derived from the Greek name Dorothea, meaning 'gift of God.' It has evolved from Dorothea to Dorothy and finally to Dot as a diminutive. The name reflects traits of warmth and friendliness and has gained popularity particularly in the early 20th century. It does not have biblical relevance, but it is associated with notable figures in sports and entertainment.
The name Dot is most popular in Alabama, 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 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, Dot has been stalled for female in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in South. Across generations, 'Dot' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 5519th out of 7545 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1641st out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1386th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3769th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 15602nd out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Dot' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Dot"
Pronunciation
/dɒt/
Origin
English
Etymology
The name Dot is often considered a diminutive form of Dorothy, which comes from the Greek name Dorothea, meaning 'gift of God.'
Meaning
gift
Language Evolution
Dorothea (Greek), Dorothy (English), Dot (Diminutive form)
Historical Usage
The name Dot gained popularity in the early 20th century as a playful and endearing form of Dorothy, especially in the United States.
Variants & Derivatives
Dottie, Dotty, Dorothy
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Dot is perceived as a charming and vintage name, often associated with warmth and friendliness.
Famous People
Dot Jones (American actress and former athlete), Dot Richardson (American softball player and Olympic gold medalist)
Explore More Dot Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Dot"
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 "Dot"
"Dot" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 5519th of 7545 | 22 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1641st of 9107 | 433 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1386th of 9204 | 569 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 3769th of 12526 | 197 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 15602nd of 30306 | 50 |
Regional Popularity of "Dot" 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 "Dot" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
83.14% 1967th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
43.82% 1031st/2353 |
- |
| 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) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Dot"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Dot" 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.