Holding steady.
Popularity of Oleta since 1888
Babies named Oleta per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1920, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Oleta's real moment was 1913.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5 |
| 1890s | 23 |
| 1900s | 198 |
| 1910s | 1,533 |
| 1920s | 1,674 |
| 1930s | 990 |
| 1940s | 523 |
| 1950s | 265 |
| 1960s | 137 |
| 1970s | 75 |
| 1980s | 22 |
| 1990s | 15 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 5 |
| 2020s | 7 |
Meaning & origin
Oleta is a vintage name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1888. It reached its peak popularity in 1913, a time when many similar-sounding feminine names ending in 'eta' or 'etta' were fashionable. The name has since settled into obscurity, with a stable trajectory that shows no recent resurgence. Despite its rarity, Oleta retains a gentle, melodic quality that appeals to parents seeking a distinctive but historically grounded name. Its unknown meaning adds an air of mystery, allowing the name to be defined by personal association rather than a fixed etymology.
Oleta is a name of uncertain origin, first recorded in the United States in the late 19th century. It may be a feminine form of Oletus, a Latin name of unclear derivation, or a variant of Oletta, which itself is a diminutive of names like Viola or Olivia. The name saw its peak use in the 1910s and has remained in occasional use since, though never common.
Where Oleta is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ole, Leta, Etta
Variants: Oletta, Oletia
Sibling names for Oleta
Names that share Oleta's style, for a brother or sister.
