Find out how popular the first name Dodie has been for the last 13 years (from 1975 to 1987) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Dodie by gender

Based on the last 13 years of data, Dodie is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1987, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Dodie.

The history of the first name Dodie

Dodie is a diminutive form of the name Dorothy, which has its origins in the Greek language. Dorothy is derived from the combination of the Greek words "doron" meaning gift and "theos" meaning God, essentially translating to "gift of God." The name Dodie emerged as a shortened version of Dorothy, likely during the Middle Ages in England.

The name Dorothy was initially brought to England by French Normans after the Norman Conquest in 1066. It gained widespread popularity during the Middle Ages, particularly among the upper classes of English society. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Dorothy can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Duarda."

In the 14th century, the English writer Geoffrey Chaucer included a character named Dorigen in his Canterbury Tales, which is believed to be a variation of the name Dorothy. This literary reference contributed to the name's enduring popularity in England.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Dodie. One of the earliest was Dodie Smith (1896-1990), a British novelist and playwright best known for her novel "The Hundred and One Dalmatians," which was later adapted into a beloved Disney film.

Another prominent figure was Dodie Kazanjian (1915-2002), an American art collector and philanthropist who donated a significant portion of her collection to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

In the 20th century, Dodie Rosekrans (1936-1998) was an American lawyer and activist who played a pivotal role in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and the decriminalization of homosexuality in San Francisco.

More recently, Dodie Clark (born 1995) is a British singer-songwriter and YouTuber who has gained a significant following for her original music and candid discussions about mental health and LGBTQ+ issues.

Another notable figure is Dodie Bellamy (born 1951), an American author and feminist writer known for her experimental and transgressive works exploring themes of sexuality and gender.

While the name Dodie may have originated as a diminutive form, it has evolved into a distinct and enduring name in its own right, with a rich history spanning centuries and crossing various cultural and artistic spheres.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Dodie was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Dodie, please contact us.

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