Dorthea
Every Dorthea since 1882 — 2,437 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Dorthea
Dorthea is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #12,247 in 2025 with 7 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1882, 2,437 American babies have been named Dorthea. Its peak came in 1921, when 69 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 Dorthea stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Dorthea year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | #12,247 |
| 2024 | 5 | #15,923 |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | 5 | #15,758 |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | 5 | #16,957 |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | 5 | #18,073 |
| 2008 | 7 | #14,263 |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | 6 | #15,021 |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | 5 | #16,481 |
| 2002 | 7 | #12,581 |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | 6 | #12,202 |
| 1990 | 14 | #6,226 |
| 1985 | 12 | #5,763 |
| 1980 | 12 | #5,621 |
| 1975 | 12 | #4,934 |
| 1970 | 31 | #2,411 |
| 1965 | 29 | #2,217 |
| 1960 | 38 | #1,839 |
| 1955 | 33 | #1,853 |
| 1950 | 40 | #1,458 |
| 1945 | 20 | #1,892 |
| 1940 | 11 | #2,609 |
| 1935 | 25 | #1,489 |
| 1930 | 36 | #1,256 |
| 1925 | 39 | #1,255 |
| 1920 | 50 | #1,053 |
| 1915 | 36 | #1,143 |
| 1910 | 11 | #1,447 |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | 9 | #1,145 |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Dorthea in 2025?
Dorthea ranked #12,247 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 7 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Dorthea?
2,437 babies have been named Dorthea in the United States since 1882, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Dorthea most popular?
Dorthea peaked in 1921, when 69 newborns received the name.
Is Dorthea a boy or girl name?
Dorthea is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Dorthea rising or falling?
Dorthea is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.