Holding steady.
Popularity of Laretha since 1937
Babies named Laretha per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 6 |
| 1940s | 6 |
| 1950s | 52 |
| 1960s | 48 |
| 1970s | 79 |
| 1980s | 29 |
| 1990s | 7 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Laretha is a rare American given name that first appeared in Social Security records in 1937, reflecting a mid-20th century trend of creating feminine names with the -etha suffix. Its peak year was 1971, but its trajectory since then has been stable, with very few new occurrences per year. The name's rate of use is so low that its one-in-N figure is not available. Top states of usage are not recorded due to its rarity. Laretha's origins are obscure; it likely draws from the sound of names like Laura or Loretta, adapted to the fashionable -etha ending. It remains a distinctive choice, never having entered the top 1000.
Laretha first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1937, during a period when names ending in -etha (like Loretha or Yaretha) were fashionable. It likely arose as a respelling or variation of names such as Laura or Loretta, combined with the -etha suffix. The name saw its highest usage in 1971 and has since become rare.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lari, Retha
Sibling names for Laretha
Names that share Laretha's style, for a brother or sister.
