Dorothy
Peaked at #2 nationally in 1920, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, Dorothy has been recorded >99% of the time for girls and <1% of the time for boys.
Meaning & origin
Dorothy comes from the Greek name Dorothea, formed from "doron" (gift) and "theos" (god), together meaning "gift of God." The name entered English usage in the late Middle Ages and became especially popular in the United States in the early 20th century. Its enduring cultural visibility owes much to the character Dorothy Gale in L. Frank Baum's "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" and its 1939 film adaptation.
Notable people & culture
Writer and wit Dorothy Parker, a fixture of the Algonquin Round Table, and actress Dorothy Dandridge, the first Black woman nominated for a Best Actress Oscar, are among its notable bearers. The name peaked in U.S. popularity in the 1920s before declining steadily through the later 20th century. Common nicknames include Dot, Dottie, and Dolly.
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Dorothy — Girls (United States)
RisingPeak rank
#2
in 1920
Current rank
#431
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Rising
Tracked since 1880, Dorothy reached its peak popularity for girls in 1920, ranking #2 nationally with 36,643 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has climbed from #726 (2014) to #431 (2024) — a 41% improvement.
As of 2024, Dorothy ranks #431 nationally for girls, with 714 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #431 | 714 |
| 2023 | #462 | 664 |
| 2022 | #487 | 645 |
| 2021 | #483 | 649 |
| 2020 | #535 | 563 |
| 2019 | #561 | 546 |
| 2018 | #581 | 529 |
| 2017 | #590 | 507 |
Dorothy — Boys (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#479
in 1931
Last ranked
#7238
in 1989
Years tracked
81
1894–1989
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1894, Dorothy reached its peak popularity for boys in 1931, ranking #479 nationally with 141 babies given the name that year.
Dorothy hasn't appeared among the national top ranks for boys since 1989, when it stood at #7238.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | #7,238 | 6 |
| 1985 | #6,827 | 5 |
| 1983 | #5,674 | 6 |
| 1981 | #6,545 | 5 |
| 1975 | #5,703 | 5 |
| 1973 | #4,199 | 7 |
| 1972 | #4,104 | 7 |
| 1970 | #4,910 | 5 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — girls' names only.
Common Questions
When was Dorothy most popular?
Dorothy was most popular in 1920, when it ranked #2 nationally for girls — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Dorothy becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently rising; for boys, it's currently falling, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Dorothy?
At least 1,115,156 babies have been recorded with the name Dorothy in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like Dorothy? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.