Letitia

Meaning & origin

Letitia is a Latinate feminine name meaning 'joy,' drawn directly from the Latin noun laetitia. It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1880, the earliest year of Social Security data, and reached its peak ranking that same year, though the specific rank is not available in the top 1,000. The name has been in decline since 1985, a trajectory that mirrors the broader shift away from elaborate Victorian-era names. Letitia is consistently given to girls, with no recorded male usage. Although it has not been associated with any top states in recent data, it has been carried by a variety of figures in history, including an early British novelist. The name's spelling variants include Laetitia, Leticia, and the earlier English form Lettice, which was used in Shakespeare's time. Letitia remains a name of quiet elegance, with a clear and uplifting meaning.

Letitia derives from the Latin word laetitia, meaning 'joy' or 'gladness.' It was used as a given name in Roman times and later revived in England after the Protestant Reformation, often as a virtue name. The spelling Letitia became standard in the 17th century, though earlier forms included Lettice and Leticia.