Dodie

♀ Girl

Pronounced DOH-dee /ˈdoʊ.di/High

Meaning: Dodie is an affectionate pet form of Dorothy, from Greek Dorothea, 'gift of God' (doron, 'gift', and theos, 'god'). Like Dot and Dottie, it turned the formal Dorothy into a warm nursery name.Medium

In 30 seconds: Dodie is a cuddly pet form of Dorothy, 'gift of God'. A warm mid-century nickname-name, it crested in 1971.

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Origin MediumGreek

MeaningDodie is an affectionate pet form of Dorothy, from Greek Dorothea, 'gift of God' (doron, 'gift', and theos, 'god'). Like Dot and Dottie, it turned the formal Dorothy into a warm nursery name.

U.S. rank (1987)#11805 ↘ Falling

1987 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1971

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,258

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Dodie is one of the affectionate short forms of Dorothy, from Greek Dorothea, 'gift of God'. Generations of Dorothys answered to pet names like Dot, Dottie and Dodie, and some girls were given the nickname outright. Dodie appears in United States records from the nineteen-twenties.

It reached its high point in 1971 and faded by the late nineteen-eighties. Dodie reads as a warm mid-century nickname-name worn by women now in their fifties and older; the formal Dorothy is edging back into fashion, and cozy Dodie could ride that revival, though it has not yet.

Did you know? Dodie was borne by Dodie Smith, the English author whose novel The Hundred and One Dalmatians gave the world one of its best-loved animal stories.

Overall data confidence 65%

References — Dodie — Pet form of Dorothy 'gift of God'; SSA peak 1971

Variations

DottieDotDorothy

Nicknames

DodoDee

Famous Bearers

★Dodie Smith (1896–1990)
English novelist and playwright, author of the children's classic The Hundred and One Dalmatians and the novel I Capture the Castle.

If you like Dodie…

Dottie— a sister pet form of Dorothy

Dorothy— the full parent name Dodie shortens

Dixie— a like cozy -ie ending vintage name

Trudy— another warm mid-century nickname-name

Explore names like Dodie

By themevintage two-syllable nickname-name gift

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Dodie mean?

Dodie is a pet form of Dorothy, from Greek meaning 'gift of God'.

How do you pronounce Dodie?

It's said DOH-dee /ˈdoʊ.di/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Dodie a boy or girl name?

Dodie is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Dodie?

Dodie was an uncommon nickname-name that crested in the early seventies and faded by the late eighties; it has not yet revived with Dorothy.