What are your opinions on the names Dorothy and Dorothea?

[VictoriaMeadows]

What are your opinions on the names Dorothy and Dorothea?

I don't like Dorothy (and hate Dot or Dottie). I LOVE Dorothea - I think it is a much more classic sounding name, looks better and means the nn Thea can be used. Also Dorothea from middlemarch is one of the loveliest heroines in literature.

I also prefer Dorothea and like Thea as a nickname.

I'd plan on just calling her by her name and then if I began shortening it, it just happens.

It isn't so much you but everyone else that will shorten it!

People may still shorten to Dot with Dorothea though?

dorathea

I really like Dorothea. Would be my 'next' girls name if husband didn't dislike it! I think you/she could pick your fave non which is one of the reasons I like it.

I like them both.

I would assume you were a George Eliot fan. (That's not a bad thing.) The names are fine. I prefer Dorothea nn Thea as I think it has more currency as a 'young' name, whereas at the moment Dorothy is still stuck in middle aged/ frumpy and hasn't quite made it to retro classic or traditional.

NMS sorry - as an aside, I knew a lady once called Dorothy that her family & friends had all shortened to Dorrie - she hated it, & so when I bumped into her a couple of years ago was pleasantly surprised to her that she has dropped her first name & now uses her middle name, Jane

I prefer Dorothy. Dorothea is too fancy for me. I like all the shortenings - Dorrie especially.

I like both!

I prefer Dorothy.

Why does every name on Mumsnet need a short form these days? Dorothy is lovely as it is!

My dd has a 3 syllable name that doesn't get shortened. You don't need a shortened name.

Dorrie is particularly unattractive, compared to Dorothy.

Dorothea: classic, elegant, has great literary connections.

Dorothy: Wizard of Oz.

Your choice.