Dorothea is a feminine given name of Greek origin, derived from the elements "doron" meaning "gift" and "theos" meaning "god". It can be translated as "gift of God". The name has been in use since ancient times, with its earliest known written record dating back to the 3rd century BCE in ancient Greek texts.

The name gained popularity in the early Christian era and was commonly given to girls born around the time of the Christmas season, as it was seen as a reference to the gift of Christ. It was widely used in the Byzantine Empire and later spread to other parts of Europe.

One of the earliest notable bearers of the name was Dorothea of Caesarea, a 4th-century virgin martyr who was executed for her Christian faith during the reign of the Roman emperor Diocletian. Her legend and cult following helped to further popularize the name among Christians.

In the Middle Ages, the name was sometimes spelled as "Dorothee" or "Dorotea" in various European languages. It was particularly popular in Germany, where it was borne by several noblewomen, including Dorothea of Saxe-Lauenburg (1319-1362), a princess and abbess.

During the Renaissance, the name was favored among the intellectual and artistic circles. One of the most notable bearers was the Italian humanist scholar Dorothea Bucca (1360-1436), who was renowned for her expertise in classical literature and philosophy.

In the 17th century, the name was borne by Dorothea Maria of Anhalt-Zerbst (1609-1636), a German princess and the mother of the future Tsarina of Russia, Catherine the Great.

Another notable figure was the British writer and poet Dorothea Du Bois (1728-1774), who was known for her philosophical and religious works.

In the 19th century, the name was favored by several notable writers and intellectuals, including the German novelist Dorothea Schlegel (1764-1839) and the British author Dorothea Beale (1831-1906), who was a pioneering educator and founder of several schools for girls.