See the results of this poll: Dorothy or Dorothea?
Respondents: 56 (This poll is closed)
- Dorothy : 36 (64%)
- Dorothea: 20 (36%)
I’m a big fan of cottagecore! Unashamedly it’s basically my entire tumblr dash, and I’d say it heavily influences my naming style. It’s hard for me to say which name I think fits the aesthetic more: I think [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f] is sweeter than [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f], reminiscent of honeycore. However, I think [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] fits the more sort of vintage-y, grandma aesthetic better. To me it seems more down to earth than [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f], like I think [name_f]Cecily[/name_f] sounds more down to earth than [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f]. I see a [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f] more likely being a medieval princess, whilst [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] lives in a forest cottage. Ultimately I voted for [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] 
[name_f]Glad[/name_f] to see another cottagecore fan (it’s a lot of what I follow on tumblr as well), and can I just say that I [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] the names in your signature! Especially nice to see [name_f]Sparrow[/name_f] on a boy in the “maybe” section, as I’m a man with the middle name [name_f]Sparrow[/name_f] (actually one of two middles).
Thanks for voting!
I prefer [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f] personally, but I think both totally fit the vibe you’re going for. [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] feels perhaps a bit more “authentically” vintage (since it has been much more popular in the past), whereas [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f] feels a little more “stylized” vintage, if that makes sense?
I’m not familiar with cottagecore at all, so I’m not sure which vibe suits the style more. From how you describe it, I’d probably say [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f] - a little bit sweeter, a little bit more nostalgic, and a little bit more “deliberate” as a vintage name choice in a particular style.
Both names are great, but I have a soft spot for [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f].
For me, [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] definitely has a “cottage” feel, whereas [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f] is much more “crumbling stately home”.
[name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] makes me think of woolly cardigans, moorland and craggy coastlines, sheep, and hot cocoa. She’s a bit granny; makes me think of the early decades of the twentieth century, cosy but a little austere.
[name_f]Dorothea[/name_f] is far more elegant and ethereal; she makes me think of Middlemarch, delicate lace, antique furniture, and saintly relics. It’s a romantic-antique name rather than a vintage one, evocative of the past but not any particular era.
They’re both beautiful, so take your pick. Personally I love both, but would be more likely to use the homely [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f].
Thought about this for a long time - and I don’t think you could go wrong with either. I voted [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f], simply because while [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] has that vintage feel, I think [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f] takes it even just a little farther back in the sweetest way. For me I think the middle name would decide the feel of the whole name for me.
[name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] makes me imagine those things…although that is most likely because my late grandma’s name is [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f]. She fit that imagery, she was also a very sweet, compassionate, loving person. For me, [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] is a spunky, sweet name while [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f] feels a bit up-tight and trying too hard. [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f] makes me picture an old time librarian or school teacher that is stern, a bit scary, and is always watching you over her classes. [name_m]Just[/name_m] my opinion.
I personally prefer [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f]; it sounds a bit more refined to me. (It was also my grandmother’s name). But [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] is adorable and I think it has the more cottage vibe to it.