A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Letta since 1880
Babies named Letta per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1971, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Letta's real moment was 1880.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 79 |
| 1890s | 89 |
| 1900s | 31 |
| 1910s | 81 |
| 1920s | 107 |
| 1930s | 111 |
| 1940s | 50 |
| 1950s | 68 |
| 1960s | 46 |
| 1970s | 84 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 5 |
| 2020s | 31 |
Meaning & origin
Letta is a rare and delicate name that has seen a gentle revival. First recorded in 1880, it peaked in that same year and then fell into obscurity. However, since 2015 its trajectory has been rising, reflecting a renewed interest in vintage, short names. In the 1880s, it was part of a wave of similar diminutive feminines, and its recent return aligns with the broader revival of that decade's style. Though its etymology is debated, its charm is clear: a soft, two-syllable name with a modern edge.
Letta may be a diminutive of Colette, itself a French short form of Nicole, ultimately from Greek Nike meaning 'victory'. Alternatively, it could be a feminine form of Lett, a Middle English surname. The name has been in rare use in the United States since the 1880s, with a recent uptick in popularity.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Leta
Sibling names for Letta
Names that share Letta's style, for a brother or sister.
