Dorothy is a female given name of English origin, derived from the German name "Dorothea," which means "gift of God." The name has been popular in English-speaking countries for centuries and was particularly common in the United States during the early to mid-20th century.
The name Dorothy first gained popularity in England during the Middle Ages, when it was brought over from Germany by returning crusaders. It became more widely used in England following the publication of Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, in which a character named Dorothee appears. The name continued to be popular throughout the Renaissance period and beyond.
In the United States, Dorothy was one of the top 10 most popular girls' names during the 1920s and 1930s. It remained within the top 50 until the mid-1960s, but has since declined in popularity. Despite this, it remains a beloved classic name with a timeless appeal.
Some notable figures throughout history have borne the name Dorothy, including Dorothy Wordsworth, the sister of English poet William Wordsworth; Dorothy Dandridge, an American actress and singer; and Dorothy Kilgallen, an American journalist and television personality. The name has also been featured prominently in popular culture, most notably as the protagonist in L. Frank Baum's classic children's book "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
The name Dorothy has been a rare occurrence in the United States, with only six births recorded in the year 1917.