Find out how popular the first name Aletha has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Aletha by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Aletha is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Aletha.

The history of the first name Aletha

The name Aletha has its origins in Ancient Greek, deriving from the word "aletheia" which means "truth" or "sincerity". This name was in use during the Classical Greek period, particularly in the ancient regions of Greece and parts of the Roman Empire that were influenced by Greek culture.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Aletha can be found in the writings of the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, who used the term "aletheia" in his philosophical works to discuss the concept of truth and its pursuit through reason and logic. This suggests that the name was likely in use during the 4th century BC.

In terms of historical figures bearing the name Aletha, there are a few notable examples. Aletha Tersius was a Christian martyr who lived in the 3rd century AD and was executed during the persecutions of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Her story is recorded in various early Christian texts and hagiographies.

Another early figure was Aletha of Gortyn, a Byzantine nun and abbess who lived in the 5th century AD on the island of Crete. She is venerated as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church and her feast day is celebrated on December 7th.

During the Middle Ages, the name Aletha was less common, but it did appear in some historical records. One notable figure was Aletha of Merania, a 12th-century noblewoman who was the daughter of Berthold III, Duke of Merania, and the wife of Ottokar I, King of Bohemia.

In the Renaissance period, the name saw a resurgence in popularity, particularly among intellectuals and scholars who were inspired by the classical Greek concept of "aletheia". One example is Aletha Hayles, an English poet and translator who lived in the 16th century and was known for her translations of classical Greek works.

Another notable figure from this time was Aletha Browne, an English author and philosopher who lived in the 17th century and wrote extensively on topics such as metaphysics, ethics, and the nature of truth.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Aletha was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Aletha, please contact us.

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