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Home › Baby Names Directory › Doretha

Doretha

♀ Girl

Pronounced duh-REE-thah /dəˈriː.θə/Medium

Meaning: Doretha is a variant of Dorothea (and Dorothy), from the Greek doron ('gift') and theos ('God') — 'gift of God'. The respelling reflects a folk pronunciation of the classic name.Medium

In 30 seconds: A gift by name: Doretha varies Dorothea, 'gift of God' (said 'duh-REE-thah').
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Origin MediumGreek
MeaningDoretha is a variant of Dorothea (and Dorothy), from the Greek doron ('gift') and theos ('God') — 'gift of God'. The respelling reflects a folk pronunciation of the classic name.
U.S. rank (1998)#14823 ↘ Falling
1998 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1956
Total births (all-time)≈ 8,562

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 195718961998

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

Doretha is a variant of Dorothea and Dorothy, from Greek roots meaning 'gift of God'. It appeared as a respelled, spoken-sounding form in mid-century America, cresting around 1956. It faded as the standard Dorothy and Dorothea prevailed.

Uncommon now, it reads as a warm period variant of a classic. Soft and devout in tone.

Did you know? Doretha is a folk spelling of Dorothea — 'gift of God' in Greek — that saw quiet American use around its 1956 peak.
Overall data confidence 60%
References — Doretha — Variant of Dorothea/Dorothy; Greek 'gift of God'

Variations

DorotheaDorettaDorethea

Nicknames

DotRetha

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Doretha…

Dorothea— the standard name Doretha varies
Dorothy— a like Dorothea-family name
Doretta— a similar Dor- diminutive
Retha— a like short cousin in sound

Explore names like Doretha

By themegreekvintagerespelled1950s

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Doretha mean?

Doretha is a variant of Dorothea, from Greek roots meaning 'gift of God'.

How do you pronounce Doretha?

It's said duh-REE-thah /dəˈriː.θə/ — three syllables, stress on the middle.

Is Doretha a boy or girl name?

Doretha is used as a girl's name.

Is Doretha making a comeback?

Doretha is uncommon today; the classic Dorothy is the likelier related form to be seen.

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