Of Greek origin.
Feminine form of the Greek name “Δωρόθεος”, Dorotheos, meaning “gift of God”.
A combination of two Greek words: “δώρο”, doro, meaning “gift” and “θεός”, theos, meaning “god”.
It is a name that often appeared in literature, as in Miguel de Cervantes novel “Don Quixote”.
Dorothea was the name of two saints, Dorothea of Caesarea and Dorothea of Montau.
Other forms of the name are: Dorothy, Doretta, Dorine, Dorita, Tea, Dorota, Dollie, Dolly, Dora, Dee, Ditte, Thea, Dodie.
Famous bearers Dorothea Lange, Dorothea Röschmann, Dorothea Mackellar.
One enormously talented and influential bearer of the name was American documentary photographer Dorothea Lange, considered one of the world’s top photographers of this kind, known for her Depression era work.