Fun Facts About the Name Dorothie
- 520 babies named Dorothie: U.S. records list 520 babies given the name Dorothie from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Dorothie Mean?
Dorothie is a variant spelling of the English feminine name Dorothy, which descends from the Greek Dōrothea (Δωροθέα). That Greek name joins dōron (δῶρον), "gift," to theos (θεός), "god," giving the literal sense "gift of God." The matching masculine form was Dōrotheos (Δωρόθεος).
The name came into English through Latin Dorothea, the form used across medieval Europe and in the early English church calendar. Dorothie therefore shares both origin and meaning with Dorothy; the different ending reflects spelling rather than a separate root.
Dorothie Name History & Origins
The name's early use in Christian Europe is tied to Saint Dorothea, a virgin martyr said to have been executed at Caesarea in Cappadocia, traditionally in the early fourth century. Her legend, which includes the story of a basket of roses and apples brought from her heavenly garden, was widely repeated in the medieval West, and chapels and churches were dedicated in her name.
In medieval England the Latin Dorothea was the usual written form. The vernacular Dorothy grew out of it in the later Middle Ages and became the standard English spelling. Dorothie belongs to the same English tradition: the ending -ie was a common way of writing feminine names before English spelling was settled, so early modern documents and letters use forms such as Dorothie alongside Dorothy. The two spellings name the same person and are pronounced alike; they were never distinct names with separate histories.
Familiar forms long associated with Dorothy - Doll, Dolly, Dora, Dottie, and Dodie - are conventionally applied to all spellings, including Dorothie.
How Popular is the Name Dorothie?
Dorothie has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 1924. Its best rank was #1,349 in 1917.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | #5,210 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1952 | #4,602 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1947 | #4,898 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1945 | #4,163 | 6 | 0.0005% |
| 1944 | #4,747 | 5 | 0.0004% |
| 1942 | #3,243 | 9 | 0.0007% |
| 1939 | #4,415 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1938 | #3,954 | 6 | 0.0005% |
| 1937 | #3,912 | 6 | 0.0006% |
| 1936 | #3,813 | 6 | 0.0006% |
| 1934 | #2,457 | 12 | 0.0011% |
| 1933 | #2,937 | 9 | 0.0009% |
| 1932 | #1,975 | 17 | 0.0016% |
| 1931 | #2,336 | 13 | 0.0012% |
| 1930 | #2,900 | 10 | 0.0009% |
| 1929 | #2,619 | 12 | 0.0011% |
| 1928 | #1,646 | 25 | 0.0022% |
| 1927 | #2,744 | 12 | 0.0010% |
| 1926 | #2,186 | 17 | 0.0014% |
| 1925 | #1,542 | 29 | 0.0024% |
| 1924 | #1,361 | 36 | 0.0029% |
| 1923 | #1,605 | 27 | 0.0022% |
| 1922 | #1,476 | 31 | 0.0026% |
| 1921 | #1,444 | 32 | 0.0026% |
| 1920 | #1,594 | 27 | 0.0023% |
| 1919 | #1,536 | 27 | 0.0024% |
| 1918 | #1,822 | 21 | 0.0018% |
| 1917 | #1,349 | 30 | 0.0028% |
| 1916 | #1,496 | 25 | 0.0024% |
| 1915 | #1,821 | 18 | 0.0018% |
| 1914 | #1,930 | 13 | 0.0017% |
| 1913 | #3,312 | 5 | 0.0008% |
| 1912 | #3,080 | 5 | 0.0009% |
| 1910 | #2,508 | 5 | 0.0013% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
Most Popular Girl Names That Start with D
How the Name Dorothie Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are strong in material matters, determined and stubborn. You have good business ability. You are a good worker, steady and practical, a builder who takes responsibility well. These qualities may bring you a position of authority and power. You are a doer, down-to-earth, serious-minded, reliable, and self-disciplined; have good power of concentration. You are frank, methodical and believe in law, system and order.
Dependable, very down-to-earth and well grounded, you are always looking for meaningful work, a career where you can take pride in your work and do the best job you are capable of. Your prime desire is to build protected and secure environment at home and at work. You can be very persuasive in achieving goals and gaining objectives. You can be very detailed and well-organized and possess great organizational skills. At times you may appear too stubborn and overly critical to others, but your practical approach to life and productivity makes you one of the most beneficent members of community.
✦ Dorothie's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Dorothie's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.