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Home › Baby Names Directory › Dorthea

Dorthea

♀ Girl

Pronounced dor-THEE-ah /dɔːrˈθiː.ə/Medium

Meaning: A contracted spelling of Dorothea, from Greek doron ('gift') and theos ('god') - 'gift of God.' The Dorthea form is well attested in Denmark and Norway and among Scandinavian-American families.Medium

In 30 seconds: A vintage classic: Dorthea is a form of Dorothea, Greek for 'gift of God' (said 'dor-THEE-ah').
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Origin MediumGreek, Danish
MeaningA contracted spelling of Dorothea, from Greek doron ('gift') and theos ('god') - 'gift of God.' The Dorthea form is well attested in Denmark and Norway and among Scandinavian-American families.
U.S. rank (2024)#15870 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1921
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,430

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192118822024

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

Dorthea is a contracted form of Dorothea, built from Greek doron ('gift') and theos ('god'): 'gift of God.' The full name was carried by early Christian saints and stayed in steady use across Europe for centuries, giving Dorothy, Dorte, Dorotea and this Dorthea, which is especially familiar in Denmark and Norway and among Scandinavian-American families. It has a soft, old-fashioned warmth that suits the current revival of vintage names (said 'dor-THEE-ah').

It appears only in very small numbers in the U.S. Rare, vintage, and Scandinavian-flavoured.

Did you know? Dorothea and Theodora are the same two Greek words in opposite order - doron ('gift') and theos ('god') - so Dorthea and Theodora mean exactly the same thing.
Overall data confidence 55%
References - Dorthea — Greek doron 'gift' + theos 'god'; Danish/Norwegian Dorthea

Variations

DorotheaDoroteaDorthe

Nicknames

DotTheaDora

Famous Bearers

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If you like Dorthea…

Dorothea— the full form it contracts
Theodora— the same two Greek words reversed
Thea— the ending used alone
Dorothy— the English sister form

Explore names like Dorthea

By themegreekclassicvintagescandinavian
By meaningGod / DivineGift / Blessing

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Dorthea mean?

Dorthea is a contracted form of Dorothea, from Greek doron 'gift' and theos 'god' - 'gift of God.'

How do you pronounce Dorthea?

It's said dor-THEE-ah /dɔːrˈθiː.ə/ - three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Dorthea a boy or girl name?

Dorthea is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Dorthea?

Dorthea is extremely rare in the U.S.

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