Dorothee is a feminine given name of Greek origin, derived from the Greek word 'dorothea', which means "gift of God". It gained popularity during the Middle Ages due to its use in Christian mysticism and hagiography. The name was borne by several saints, including Saint Dorothea of Caesarea, who is said to have been a beautiful young woman martyred under Emperor Diocletian around 304 AD. Despite its roots in ancient Greek culture, the name Dorothee has been widely adopted across various cultures and languages over time. In France, for instance, it has been popular enough to rank among the top 1000 names for girls born between 1900 and 1950. Today, while less common than it once was, Dorothee continues to be used as a given name, carrying with it a rich history and cultural significance.
"Dorothee saw its peak popularity in the years 1920 to 1923, with a high of 26 births in both 1921 and 1923. However, it has remained quite uncommon since then, with no more than 9 births recorded in any year between 1927 and 2021."