A 1930s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Aletta since 1892
Babies named Aletta per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 20 |
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 66 |
| 1920s | 105 |
| 1930s | 139 |
| 1940s | 122 |
| 1950s | 99 |
| 1960s | 81 |
| 1970s | 100 |
| 1980s | 51 |
| 1990s | 16 |
| 2000s | 28 |
| 2010s | 142 |
| 2020s | 137 |
Meaning & origin
Aletta is a Dutch and German name that first entered U.S. records in 1892. Its highest popularity came in 1935, during the peak of the 1930s decade, when it ranked among its highest years. The name fell out of common use but has been rising again since 2003, reflecting a broader revival of vintage European names. With an estimated 1 in 73,058 newborns receiving the name in 2025, it remains rare. Aletta has not been associated with any particular U.S. state, but its Dutch heritage gives it a distinctive, old-world charm. The name's etymology traces back to Adelaide, a Germanic compound meaning 'noble,' though some scholars suggest a link to the Greek 'aletheia' (truth). Its revival aligns with a trend toward elegant, underused names from the early 20th century.
Aletta is a Dutch and German diminutive of Adelaide, which derives from the Germanic element 'adal' meaning 'noble.' Alternatively, it may be connected to the Greek 'alētheia' (truth), though this is less certain. The name was common in the Netherlands and Germany from the 17th century onward, often used as a pet form of longer names like Aleida or Adelheid.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Letta, Ally, Etta
Sibling names for Aletta
Names that share Aletta's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Marianne, Wilhelmina, Margriet, Johanna, Petronella
