Holding steady.
Popularity of Coretta since 1909
Babies named Coretta per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 8 |
| 1910s | 41 |
| 1920s | 57 |
| 1930s | 91 |
| 1940s | 85 |
| 1950s | 130 |
| 1960s | 643 |
| 1970s | 692 |
| 1980s | 384 |
| 1990s | 127 |
| 2000s | 50 |
| 2010s | 89 |
| 2020s | 36 |
Meaning & origin
Coretta is a distinctly American name with deep associations to the civil rights movement. While it was first recorded as early as 1909, the name saw its peak in 1968, the year of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, reflecting the public prominence of Coretta Scott King. Despite that peak, the name has never entered the top 1000, and its trajectory has remained stable at very low usage. Coretta Scott King remains the most notable bearer, and the name continues to be chosen primarily by families honoring her legacy. The name's etymology remains speculative, as it appears to be a 20th-century invention blending existing sounds and suffixes.
Coretta is a 20th-century coinage in the United States, possibly derived from the Irish surname Corey or as an elaboration of Cora with the diminutive suffix -etta. It was popularized in the mid-20th century by Coretta Scott King, the wife of Martin Luther King Jr., though the name itself predates her. No definitive ancient root exists, and it is best understood as a modern American invention.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cora, Corey, Rett, Etta, Cory
Sibling names for Coretta
Names that share Coretta's style, for a brother or sister.
