My mother’s name was Anna. That is a wonderful name to have. Do you know how many people are named after her? Off the top of my head, I can think of 14-15.
Not one single person is named after me. Well, let’s face it. I don’t have that sort of name. My middle name is Wendell. I was named for a beloved aunt who was named for Oliver Wendell Holmes, who my grandfather admired. That aunt’s husband was Theodore, which is the masculine form of Dorothy (think about it), so I guess I was named for both of them.
Dorothy is a grand old name … well, the song says “Mary” but still. The fact is, Dorothy has become an old fashioned name, as Sarah or Hannah used to be. The top three choices of girls names in 2009 were Isabella, Emma and Olivia. Anna was number 29 and Dorothy did not even make the list of the top 50. (www.parent.com)
In my baby book it says that Mother chose my name because of its meaning – which is “a gift of God.” As the third baby born during the Great Depression, I appreciate my mother’s outlook.
Someday, generations from now when my name is found in old family records, perhaps it will leap back into favor. Pre-pre-K classes will be filled with little Dorothys and Dots and I will look down from heaven and say “Finally!”
Cute, cute! My book of names says (under Dorothy-Greek) see also Dodie, Theodora. Then these spellings or shortenings (!): Do, Doa, Doe, Dolly, Dorathy, Doretta, Dori, Doritha, Dorle, Dorlisa, Doro, Dorolice, Dorosia, Dorothea, Dortha, Dorthy, Dosi, Dossiea, Dottie. If you were Dutch you would be Doortje; Hungarian, Dorottya; Italian/Spanish, Dorotea; French, Dorothee, etc. etc. You have a pretty and popular name! If you don’t like Dorothy there are all these other possibilities. pl
Since I made the first comment, a niece (pregnant)visited from Oregon. She is naming (has already named?) her girl child Hazel Rose. Hazel after her paternal grandmother, and Rose, just because she likes it. I’m keeping my eyes peeled for Dorothys and Dots. pl