Dorotha is a feminine given name of Greek origin. It is derived from the Greek word "doron," which means "gift." Therefore, the name Dorotha signifies "gift" and is often associated with the concept of grace or beauty.
The name Dorotha has a rich history, dating back to ancient Greece where it was used as a female given name. In medieval times, the name gained popularity in Europe through the spread of Christianity. However, it remained relatively uncommon compared to other names from the same era.
Dorotha is also found in the New Testament of the Bible, where it is mentioned as one of the seven daughters of Philip, who was one of Jesus' twelve apostles. This biblical connection has contributed to the name's enduring popularity among Christians throughout history.
In more modern times, the name Dorotha has been used by notable individuals such as Dorothea Lynde Dix (1802-1887), an American social reformer and mental health advocate, and Dorothea von Runstedt (1893-1956), a German field marshal during World War II.
Today, the name Dorotha is still used, particularly in countries with Greek influences or strong Christian traditions. Despite its lesser-known status compared to other names, Dorotha continues to hold historical and cultural significance as an elegant and meaningful feminine given name.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Dorotha experienced a significant increase in popularity between 1885 and 1921. During this period, the number of births per year increased from as low as 6 in 1885 to a peak of 197 in 1921.
The years from 1903 to 1915 saw a consistent rise in the popularity of the name Dorotha, with birth numbers doubling from 21 in 1903 to 181 in 1916. This trend continued until 1921, with the highest number of births recorded during this time period.
However, after reaching its peak in 1921, the popularity of the name Dorotha began to decline steadily. Between 1922 and 1948, the birth numbers decreased significantly from 191 births in 1922 to just 23 births in 1949.
The decline continued into the 1950s and 1960s, with fewer than 27 births recorded each year between 1950 and 1966. The lowest point was reached in 1962 and 1963, with only 7 births recorded each year.
Despite the significant decline in popularity over time, it is interesting to note that even after more than a century since these statistics were first recorded, there have still been births of children named Dorotha every year from 1885 up until at least as late as 1969. This suggests that while the name may not be as popular today as it once was, it has managed to maintain some level of enduring popularity throughout history.
In total, according to these statistics, there have been 4788 births of children named Dorotha in the United States since 1885.