Find out how popular the first name Althaea has been for the last 3 years (from 2019 to 2021) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Althaea by gender

Based on the last 3 years of data, Althaea is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2021, there were 7 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Althaea.

The history of the first name Althaea

The given name Althaea has its origins in Greek mythology and language. It is derived from the Greek word "althainein," which means "to heal" or "to cure." The name is associated with the goddess of healing, the nymph Althaea, who was renowned for her expertise in herbalism and the medicinal properties of plants.

In Greek mythology, Althaea was the daughter of Thestius and Eurythemis, and the wife of Oeneus, the king of Calydon. She played a significant role in the famous myth of the Calydonian Boar Hunt, where she inadvertently caused the death of her son, Meleager, by burning a log that was tied to his life force.

The earliest recorded use of the name Althaea can be traced back to ancient Greek literature and historical records. It appears in the works of renowned authors such as Homer, Ovid, and Apollodorus, who narrated tales and stories related to Greek mythology and legends.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Althaea. One of the earliest recorded examples is Althaea, the wife of Oeneus, as mentioned in Greek mythology. Another famous Althaea was a Greek physician who lived in the 1st century AD and wrote extensively on the medicinal properties of plants and herbs.

In the Renaissance period, Althaea was the name of a character in the play "The Faerie Queene" by Edmund Spenser, published in 1590. This literary work helped popularize the name during that era.

Other notable individuals named Althaea include:

1. Althaea Bates (1853-1915), an American artist and educator known for her portraits and landscapes.
2. Althaea Hottel (1856-1929), an American educator and social reformer who advocated for women's rights and education.
3. Althaea Hunt (1867-1940), an American author and educator who wrote books on gardening and nature.
4. Althaea Skinner (1878-1955), an American painter and illustrator known for her depictions of Native American life.
5. Althaea Gyles (1891-1975), a British actress and singer who performed in numerous stage productions and films.

The name Althaea has maintained a unique and timeless quality, drawing upon its rich historical and mythological roots. While not as popular as some other names, it has been cherished by those who appreciate its connection to healing, nature, and the enduring legacy of Greek mythology.

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 Althaea was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!