Dorothy

Etymology

The English form of Latin Dorothea, the name of a legendary (and possibly fictitious) saint, from Ancient Greek Δωροθέα (Dōrothéa), from δῶρον (dôron, “gift”) + θεός (theós, “god”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈdɒɹəθi/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈdɔɹəθi/
• (NYC) IPA^(key): /ˈdɑɹəθi/

Proper noun

Dorothy

1. A female given name.
   • c. 1596–1599, William Shakespeare, The Second Part of Henrie the Fourth, […], quarto edition, London: Printed by V[alentine] S[immes] for Andrew Wise, and William Aspley, published 1600, OCLC 55178895:
     : Act II, Scene IV:

     Pistol. Then to you, Mistress Dorothy; I will charge you.

     Doll Tearsheet. Charge me! I scorn you, scurvy companion.

   • 1900 Lyman Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Chapter 3:

     "My name is Dorothy," said the girl, " and I am going to the Emerald City to ask the Great Oz to send me back to Kansas."

   • 1990 Russell Baker, There's a Country in My Cellar, Morrow, →ISBN, page 418:

     Don't you think the world has gone steadily downhill ever since parents stopped naming their children Lucy and Dorothy and started naming them Samantha?