Dorothy is a feminine given name of English origin. It is composed of two elements: "dore," which means "gift," and "thy," a possessive form of "thou." Therefore, the meaning of Dorothy is "gift from God."
The name Dorothy entered popular use in the Middle Ages, during the period of the Crusades. It was inspired by the legend of Saint Dorothea, a young woman who lived in the 4th century and was martyred for her faith. According to tradition, she dropped roses at her persecutor's feet as she was led away to be executed, which later became associated with the name Dorothy.
The name Dorothy gained further popularity through literature. In L. Frank Baum's "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," published in 1900, the protagonist is a young girl named Dorothy Gale from Kansas. This character has since become iconic and has likely contributed to the name's enduring appeal.
Today, Dorothy remains a classic choice for parents seeking a traditional yet timeless name for their daughters. While it may be considered somewhat old-fashioned by some, its historical significance and literary associations continue to make it an attractive option for many families.
The statistics provided show the annual number of births with the name Dorethy in the United States between the years 1916 and 1929, as well as in 1936 and 1939. During this period, the name Dorethy was not very popular, with an average of about 7 births per year.
The highest number of babies named Dorethy was recorded in 1926, with a total of 12 births that year. This is also the only year where the number of births surpassed double digits during the given period.
It's interesting to note that there were periods where the name seemed to gain some traction, such as between 1920 and 1922, where the number of births ranged from 6 to 9. However, these peaks were short-lived and the name quickly fell back into obscurity, with only 5 births each in 1936 and 1939.
Overall, the total number of births with the name Dorethy over this period was 98, indicating that while it may not have been a common choice, there were still parents who opted for this unique name.