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Home › Baby Names Directory › Dotty

Dotty

♀ Girl

Pronounced DOT-ee /ˈdɒt.i/High

Meaning: A pet form of Dorothy, from the Greek for 'gift of God' (doron, 'gift,' + theos, 'God'). A cheerful, vintage nickname that stands on its own.Low

In 30 seconds: A cheerful pet form: Dotty shortens Dorothy, 'gift of God' (said 'DOT-ee'). Vintage, bouncy, and sweet.
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Origin MediumGreek, English
MeaningA pet form of Dorothy, from the Greek for 'gift of God' (doron, 'gift,' + theos, 'God'). A cheerful, vintage nickname that stands on its own.
U.S. rank (2024)#12473 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1945
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,686

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 194619092024

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

Dotty is a pet form of Dorothy, Greek for 'gift of God.' It reads cheerful and vintage, in the family of Dot and Dottie — rare in the U.S. as a full name (said 'DOT-ee').

It appears only rarely now as a given name in the U.S. Rare, bouncy, and vintage.

Did you know? Dotty is a bouncy pet form of Dorothy — from the Greek for 'gift of God' — a cheerful, vintage nickname that stands sweetly on its own (said 'DOT-ee').
Overall data confidence 48%
References — Dotty — pet form of Dorothy; Greek 'gift of God'

Variations

DottieDotDorothy

Nicknames

DotDottie

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Dotty…

Dottie— a spelling twin
Dorothy— the name it shortens
Lottie— a like vintage -ottie name
Hattie— a like bouncy -attie/-ottie name

Explore names like Dotty

By themeenglishvintagenicknamecheerful
By meaningGod / DivineJoyGift / Blessing

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Dotty mean?

Dotty is a pet form of Dorothy, Greek for 'gift of God.'

How do you pronounce Dotty?

It's said DOT-ee /ˈdɒt.i/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Dotty a boy or girl name?

Dotty is a girl's name.

How popular is Dotty?

Dotty is a rare name in the U.S.

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