Tiiu is an Estonian feminine given name that is a variant of Tiia, though it may also partially derive from an archaic dialectal form of the word tihane meaning "titmouse" (a small songbird). Tiia itself is a Finnish and Estonian short form of Dorothea, ultimately from the Greek Dorotheos, meaning "gift of god" (from doron "gift" and theos "god"). Etymology The name follows a common Estonian pattern of creating diminutive or familiar forms by adding the -iu suffix (e.g., Luise → Litsu). The innovative spelling variant likely reinforced an existing onomatopoeic word for a bird, lending a delightful double meaning. Notable Bearers Several prominent Estonian women have borne this name: Tiiu Aro (born 1952), physician and politician Tiiu Asper (born 1983), judoka Tiiu Erelt (born 1942), linguist Tiiu Kera (born 1945), retired United States Air Force major general Tiiu Kirsipuu (born 1957), sculptor Tiiu Kuik (born 1987), fashion model Tiiu Kull (born 1958), botanist Tiiu Levald (born 1940), opera singer, pedagogue, and music critic Tiiu Märss (born 1943), geologist and paleontologist Tiiu Parmas (1943–2011), tennis player Tiiu Nurmberg (born 1982), Canadian-Estonian alpine skier Cultural Significance Although not directly a saint's name, Tiiu derives from a tradition of Greek and medieval saints. The original Dorothea was a 4th-century martyr from Caesarea, and the name has maintained popularity in Estonia through strong national usage. Related Forms Related names from other languages include Dorothea (German), Doroteya (Bulgarian), Dora (Spanish), Dorotea (Swedish), Doroteja (Slovene), Tea (Slovene), and more. Meaning: Variant of Tiia, also associated with “titmouse” Origin: Estonian, Greek Type: First name, feminine Usage regions: Estonia