Retia
Of unknown origin and meaning, potentially deriving from Latin roots.
Name Census estimates that about 46 living Americans carry the first name Retia. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Retia today is around 71 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Retia births was 1959 (9 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Retia. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Retia is about 71 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Retias were born before 1965.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Retia. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
46
~ 1 in 7,451,181 Americans
Peak year
1959
9 babies that year
Average age
71
years old
1960 SSA rank
#7,098
Tracked since 1938
Popularity
Retia: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Retia from the 1930s through to the 1960s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1950s, with 50 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1950s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Retia by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Retia during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Retia
The name Retia is believed to have originated from the ancient Etruscan civilization in what is now modern-day Italy. This pre-Roman culture flourished in the region around the 8th century BC. The name is thought to derive from the Etruscan word "retiu," meaning "to weave" or "to plait," potentially referring to a craftsperson or someone skilled in textile work.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Retia can be found in the Liber Linteus, an ancient Etruscan linen book dating back to the 7th century BC. This funerary text mentions a woman named Retia who held a prominent position within the Etruscan society. Her name is inscribed alongside intricate illustrations, suggesting her importance within the community.
During the Roman era, the name Retia appeared in several historical records and inscriptions. Notably, a woman named Retia Tertia was mentioned in a Roman epitaph from the 2nd century AD, commemorating her life and achievements. Another prominent figure was Retia Antonia, a noblewoman who lived in the 1st century AD and was known for her philanthropic endeavors.
In the medieval period, the name Retia gained some prominence within certain religious circles. A nun named Retia of Burgundy (1025-1090) was renowned for her piety and dedication to monastic life. She authored several religious texts that were widely circulated during her time.
Transitioning to the Renaissance era, one of the most notable individuals with the name Retia was the Italian artist Retia Veneziano (1510-1576). Born in Venice, she gained recognition for her exquisite tapestries and embroidery work, which adorned the palaces of wealthy patrons across Europe.
Fast-forwarding to the 19th century, Retia Cartwright (1815-1892) was an influential English writer and social activist. She championed women's rights and education, writing several influential essays and books on the subject.
In the 20th century, Retia Kowalska (1920-2005) was a celebrated Polish artist known for her vibrant abstract paintings. Her works were exhibited in galleries and museums across Europe, and she received numerous accolades for her contributions to the art world.
These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who bore the name Retia. While the name may have fallen out of widespread use in modern times, its rich cultural heritage and historical significance remain a testament to its enduring legacy.
People
Retia + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Retia as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with R
Other first names starting with R with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Retia: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Retia?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 46 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Retia going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 7,451,181 US residents.
Is Retia a common name?
We classify Retia as "Very Rare". It ranks above 53.1% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 70 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Retia most popular?
The single biggest year for Retia was 1959, when 9 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Retia is about 71 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Retia a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Retia in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.