A 1930s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Laretta since 1909
Babies named Laretta per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1956, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Laretta's real moment was 1937.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 28 |
| 1920s | 86 |
| 1930s | 114 |
| 1940s | 130 |
| 1950s | 119 |
| 1960s | 85 |
| 1970s | 40 |
| 1980s | 26 |
| 1990s | 11 |
| 2000s | 6 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 11 |
Meaning & origin
Laretta is a rare and distinctive name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1909, reaching its peak popularity in 1937 when it ranked highest among births. After a long period of obscurity, the name has seen a resurgence since 2022, with a recent trajectory classified as rising. As of 2025, Laretta holds a rank of 13,208, with approximately 1 in every 267,878 newborns given the name. Its revival in the 2020s places it among vintage names from the 1930s experiencing renewed interest, though it has not yet charted in any state's top names. Laretta's etymology is uncertain, likely a modern elaboration or variant of Loretta or Larry, giving it a familiar yet uncommon feel.
Laretta is a Modern English coinage, likely an elaborated form of Lora or a feminine variant of Larry, itself a diminutive of Lawrence. It appears in U.S. records from the early 20th century, with its highest popularity in the 1930s. The name may also be a spelling variant of Loretta, which is a diminutive of Laura, from the Latin 'laurus' meaning 'laurel'.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lara, Retta, Larie, Lare
Sibling names for Laretta
Names that share Laretta's style, for a brother or sister.
