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

Popularity of Aretha by gender

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

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Aretha.

The history of the first name Aretha

The name Aretha has its origins in the ancient Greek language. It is derived from the Greek word "arête" which means "virtue" or "excellence". The name was fairly common in ancient Greece and was often given to female children as a symbolic wish for them to lead virtuous and exemplary lives.

In ancient Greek mythology, Aretha was one of the Oceanid nymphs, the 3,000 daughters of the Titans Oceanus and Tethys. Her name appears in various texts and records from the time, including the works of the ancient Greek poet Hesiod.

The earliest recorded use of the name Aretha dates back to the 5th century BC. One of the earliest known historical figures with this name was Aretha of Cyrene, a Greek philosopher and mathematician who lived around 350 BC. She is credited with developing several geometric principles and is considered one of the first notable female mathematicians in recorded history.

During the Roman era, the name Aretha continued to be used, though its popularity waned somewhat. One notable bearer of the name was Aretha, the wife of the Roman Emperor Diocletian who ruled from 284 to 305 AD.

In the Middle Ages, the name saw a revival in popularity, particularly in parts of Europe influenced by the Byzantine Empire. One of the most famous historical figures with the name Aretha during this time was Aretha of Lezha, an Albanian noblewoman and military leader who lived in the 13th century. She played a crucial role in defending her region against the invasion of the Angevin forces.

As the centuries passed, the name Aretha remained in use, though it was not as widespread as some other names. In the 17th century, there was a notable figure named Aretha Gorges, a French poet and playwright who was active in the literary circles of Paris.

In more recent history, the name Aretha has become closely associated with the legendary American singer Aretha Franklin, who was born in 1942 and passed away in 2018. Known as the "Queen of Soul", she was a highly influential figure in the world of music and is considered one of the greatest vocalists of all time.

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

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

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