Find out how popular the first name Cleta has been for the last 7 years (from 1974 to 1980) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Cleta by gender

Based on the last 7 years of data, Cleta is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1980, there were 7 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Cleta.

The history of the first name Cleta

The name Cleta is believed to have its origins in the Greek language, derived from the word "kletos," which means "called" or "renowned." It is a feminine form of the masculine name Cletus, which has a similar meaning.

The earliest recorded use of the name Cleta can be traced back to ancient Greek texts, although specific references are scarce. It is thought to have been used as a name for women in the Greek-speaking regions of the Mediterranean during the classical period.

One of the earliest known individuals named Cleta was a Christian martyr from the 3rd century AD. According to Church tradition, Cleta was a Roman woman who was executed for her faith during the persecutions under the reign of Emperor Claudius II in the late 260s AD.

In the Middle Ages, the name Cleta gained some popularity among Christian communities, particularly in Italy and other parts of southern Europe. It was likely influenced by the veneration of the early Christian martyr mentioned above.

During the Renaissance period, the name Cleta experienced a resurgence in usage, although it remained relatively uncommon. One notable bearer of the name was Cleta Ceschi (1520-1584), an Italian noblewoman and philanthropist from Genoa, who founded a charitable organization to assist the poor.

In the 19th century, Cleta Rajchman (1810-1891) was a Polish philosopher and writer who advocated for women's rights and education. She was one of the early proponents of the feminist movement in Poland.

Another notable Cleta was Cleta Devin (1871-1948), an American activist and suffragist from South Dakota. She played a significant role in the campaign for women's suffrage in the United States and served as the president of the South Dakota Equal Suffrage Association.

While the name Cleta has never been extremely popular, it has maintained a consistent, albeit somewhat rare, usage throughout history, particularly in certain regions and cultural contexts influenced by Greek and Christian traditions.

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

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

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