Dorthea: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Girls	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	16	2	–	#648
1890s	16	2	0%	#1,145
1900s	48	5	+200%	#1,103
1910s	286	29	+496%	#1,046
1920s	485	49	+70%	#890
1930s	262	26	-46%	#1,196
1940s	184	18	-30%	#1,659
1950s	350	35	+90%	#1,458
1960s	329	33	-6%	#1,606
1970s	179	18	-46%	#2,411
1980s	140	14	-22%	#3,554
1990s	90	9	-36%	#4,852
2000s	30	3	-67%	#12,581
2010s	5	1	-83%	#16,957
2020s (to 2025)	17	3	+467%	#12,247

Decade

Girls

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

#648

1890s

#1,145

1900s

+200%

#1,103

1910s

286

+496%

#1,046

1920s

485

+70%

#890

1930s

262

-46%

#1,196

1940s

184

-30%

#1,659

1950s

350

+90%

#1,458

1960s

329

-6%

#1,606

1970s

179

-46%

#2,411

1980s

140

-22%

#3,554

1990s

-36%

#4,852

2000s

-67%

#12,581

2010s

-83%

#16,957

2020s (to 2025)

+467%

#12,247

The story of Dorthea

Dorthea is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #12,247 in 2025 with 7 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1882, 2,437 American babies have been named Dorthea. Its peak came in 1921, when 69 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1920s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Dorthea stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Dorthea?

The median living Dorthea is about 61 years old; half are between 48 and 71. An estimated 1,200 people named Dorthea are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Dorthea year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Girls	Girls rank
2025	7	#12,247
2024	5	#15,923
2023	–	–
2022	–	–
2021	–	–
2020	5	#15,758
2019	–	–
2018	–	–
2017	–	–
2016	5	#16,957
2015	–	–
2014	–	–
2013	–	–
2012	–	–
2011	–	–
2010	–	–
2009	5	#18,073
2008	7	#14,263
2007	–	–
2006	–	–
2005	6	#15,021
2004	–	–
2003	5	#16,481
2002	7	#12,581
2001	–	–
2000	–	–
1995	6	#12,202
1990	14	#6,226
1985	12	#5,763
1980	12	#5,621
1975	12	#4,934
1970	31	#2,411
1965	29	#2,217
1960	38	#1,839
1955	33	#1,853
1950	40	#1,458
1945	20	#1,892
1940	11	#2,609
1935	25	#1,489
1930	36	#1,256
1925	39	#1,255
1920	50	#1,053
1915	36	#1,143
1910	11	#1,447
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	9	#1,145
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Dorthea, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Dorthea?

The median living Dorthea is about 61 years old. Half of all living Dortheas are between 48 and 71 years old.

How many people named Dorthea are alive today?

An estimated 1,200 people named Dorthea are alive in the United States, based on 2,437 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Dorthea in 2025?

Dorthea ranked #12,247 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 7 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Dorthea?

2,437 babies have been named Dorthea in the United States since 1882, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Dorthea most popular?

Dorthea peaked in 1921, when 69 newborns received the name.

Is Dorthea a boy or girl name?

Dorthea is overwhelmingly a girl's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Dorthea rising or falling?

Dorthea is on the rise, noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Dorthea

Dorthea popularity over time

The story of Dorthea

How old are people named Dorthea?

Dorthea year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Dorthea