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I've only known one Dorothea, and she was always called by her full name: not a nn in sight! I quite like the name, but I prefer Dorothy. The rhythm of Dorothea, with emphasis on the first and third syllables, doesn't please me: I prefer Antonia to Annabella, for instance.

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If I needed a nn for Dorothea, it would not be Dora. Thea or even Dottie would be much nicer. My mother had an older friend whose name was Deborah; she was always known as Dora, and it came as quite a surprise when we found out that it wasn't her full name. I couldn't choose between Debby and Dora, but I'd prefer Deborah to either of them.