Holding steady.
Popularity of Arlethia since 1914
Babies named Arlethia per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1924, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Arlethia's real moment was 1936.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 18 |
| 1920s | 55 |
| 1930s | 21 |
| 1940s | 18 |
| 1950s | 38 |
| 1960s | 45 |
| 1970s | 22 |
| 1980s | 26 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Arlethia is a distinctly American creation from the early 20th century, first recorded in 1914. It reached its highest popularity in 1936, a peak that reflects the era's taste for ornate feminine names with the -thia ending. The name has since become extremely uncommon, with no recent data suggesting a revival. Its trajectory has been stable but low, never returning to its Depression-era heights. Despite its obscurity, Arlethia carries a melodic quality typical of its time, much like its contemporaries Arlene and Alethea. The name has not been concentrated in any particular state, appearing nationwide in small numbers.
Arlethia first appeared in the United States in the early 20th century, most likely as a creative respelling or elaboration of names such as Arletta (itself a diminutive of names beginning with Ar-) or as a blending of sounds from names like Alethea (meaning 'truth' in Greek) and Arlene. Its peak usage occurred in the 1930s, but it has since become quite rare.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Arlie, Letha, Arli
Sibling names for Arlethia
Names that share Arlethia's style, for a brother or sister.
