Dorothea
Every Dorothea since 1880 — 34,427 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Dorothea
Dorothea is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #1,782 in 2025 with 113 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 34,427 American babies have been named Dorothea. Its peak came in 1920, when 1,110 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Dorothea stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Dorothea year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 113 | #1,782 | — | — |
| 2024 | 93 | #2,073 | — | — |
| 2023 | 62 | #2,764 | — | — |
| 2022 | 63 | #2,729 | — | — |
| 2021 | 74 | #2,424 | — | — |
| 2020 | 59 | #2,790 | — | — |
| 2019 | 48 | #3,293 | — | — |
| 2018 | 60 | #2,819 | — | — |
| 2017 | 45 | #3,449 | — | — |
| 2016 | 44 | #3,539 | — | — |
| 2015 | 38 | #3,936 | — | — |
| 2014 | 28 | #4,931 | — | — |
| 2013 | 26 | #5,182 | — | — |
| 2012 | 19 | #6,676 | — | — |
| 2011 | 16 | #7,526 | — | — |
| 2010 | 21 | #6,243 | — | — |
| 2009 | 21 | #6,380 | — | — |
| 2008 | 23 | #5,999 | — | — |
| 2007 | 15 | #8,213 | — | — |
| 2006 | 20 | #6,432 | — | — |
| 2005 | 14 | #8,021 | — | — |
| 2004 | 22 | #5,623 | — | — |
| 2003 | 26 | #4,847 | — | — |
| 2002 | 33 | #3,911 | — | — |
| 2001 | 18 | #6,145 | — | — |
| 2000 | 18 | #6,016 | — | — |
| 1995 | 22 | #4,565 | — | — |
| 1990 | 43 | #2,707 | — | — |
| 1985 | 43 | #2,324 | — | — |
| 1980 | 49 | #2,107 | — | — |
| 1975 | 64 | #1,566 | — | — |
| 1970 | 129 | #976 | — | — |
| 1965 | 211 | #678 | — | — |
| 1960 | 280 | #592 | — | — |
| 1955 | 312 | #522 | — | — |
| 1950 | 308 | #463 | — | — |
| 1945 | 249 | #453 | — | — |
| 1940 | 350 | #344 | — | — |
| 1935 | 402 | #307 | — | — |
| 1930 | 640 | #243 | — | — |
| 1925 | 891 | #215 | — | — |
| 1920 | 1,110 | #187 | — | — |
| 1915 | 925 | #182 | — | — |
| 1910 | 307 | #212 | — | — |
| 1905 | 217 | #207 | — | — |
| 1900 | 140 | #274 | — | — |
| 1895 | 76 | #327 | — | — |
| 1890 | 52 | #355 | — | — |
| 1885 | 34 | #343 | — | — |
| 1880 | 16 | #425 | — | — |
Famous people named Dorothea
- Dorothea of Caesarea Religious figure · 279–311
- Dorothea Lange Journalist · 1895–1965
- Dorothea of Brandenburg Companion · 1430–1495
- Dorothea of Saxe-Lauenburg Companion · 1511–1571
- Dorothea of Denmark, Duchess of Brunswick-Lüneburg Politician · 1546–1617
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Dorothea in 2025?
Dorothea ranked #1,782 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 113 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Dorothea?
34,427 babies have been named Dorothea in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Dorothea most popular?
Dorothea peaked in 1920, when 1,110 newborns received the name.
Is Dorothea a boy or girl name?
Dorothea is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Dorothea rising or falling?
Dorothea is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Dorothea?
Well-known people named Dorothea include Dorothea of Caesarea (religious figure), Dorothea Lange (journalist), Dorothea of Brandenburg (companion).