Skip Ancestry navigation Skip to Footer Ancestry Home
  • Home
  • Trees
  • Search
  • Memories
  • DNA
  • Subscribe
  • Cart
  • Sign In
Home
Loading

Trees you own

    Shared with you

      Tree tools

      • My Trees
      • First Name Meanings
      • Last Name Meanings
      • Individual Records Search
      • Family Trees Support
      • Start a New Tree
      • Upload a GEDCOM
      Loading
      • All Collections
      • Census & Voter Lists
      • Birth, Marriage & Death
      • Military
      • Immigration & Travel
      • Public Member Trees
      • Card Catalogue
      • Member Search
      Memories
      Loading
      • Register a kit
      • AncestryDNA® Learning Hub
      • Traits Learning Hub
      • AncestryDNA®
      • AncestryDNA® Support
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Discover More Family Names with an Ancestry 14-day Free Trial* 
      • Support Centre
      • About Us
      • Site Map
      • Gift Memberships
        • Ancestry Corporate
        • Fold3.com
        • ForcesWarRecords.com
        • Geneanet.org
        • Newspapers.com
        • ProGenealogists.com
        • RootsWeb.com
      • © 2006-2026 Ancestry
      • Privacy
      • Cookies
      • Terms and Conditions
      • Operated by Ancestry Ireland Unlimited Company
      Group of people

      Meaning of the first name Dorothy

      Origin

      Greek

      Meaning

      Gift of God

      Variations

      Dorothea, Dorthy, Dorotea
      The name Dorothy has its roots in ancient Greek, where it is derived from the word Dorothea. This name is a combination of two Greek words: doron, meaning gift, and theos, meaning God. Therefore, Dorothy can be translated to mean Gift of God.

      Throughout history, the name Dorothy has been associated with religious significance and virtue. In early Christianity, Saint Dorothy was an esteemed fourth-century martyr who was known for her unwavering faith and love for God. Her story contributed to the popularity of the name Dorothy, especially among religious circles.

      In modern times, the name Dorothy still holds a certain charm and is often chosen for its classic and timeless appeal. While its usage has declined since its peak popularity in the early 1900s, it continues to be a beloved name for many. Dorothy has been portrayed in popular culture as well, with notable fictional characters such as Dorothy Gale from The Wizard of Oz. This character brought the name Dorothy into the mainstream, further solidifying its recognition and enduring appeal. Overall, the name Dorothy maintains a strong presence in both history and contemporary usage, representing a cherished link to divine presence and the concept of a precious gift from God.

      Based on our records...

      Smith

      Smith

      This is the most common surname associated with Dorothy.
      John

      John

      This is the most common name of those married to a Dorothy.
      John

      John

      This is the most common name for a child of a Dorothy.
      Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. - © Mapbox - © OpenStreetMap - Improve this map

      What are you curious about?

      Ready to learn more about your own family? Here are two ways to begin.
      Start a free trial
      Order AncestryDNA
      calendar.webp
      Based on our records...

      Did you know?

      1920 is when there were the most people born with the first name Dorothy.

      Explore the origins of another name.