[3] Although much less common, there are also male equivalents in English such as Dory, from the Greek masculine Δωρόθεος (Dōrótheos).

[4] The given names Theodore and Theodora are derived from the same two Greek root words as Dorothy, albeit reversed in order.

The name grew in use among Christians due to popular legends surrounding Saint Dorothy of Caeserea.

It briefly left the top 1,000 names for girls in the United States in 2007 but returned in 2011 and has since increased in popularity.

Variant Dorothea is in occasional use in the United States, where 61 girls were given the name in 2023.