Holding steady, #13,208 for girls today.
Popularity of Oletta since 1912
Babies named Oletta per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1923, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Oletta's real moment was 1914.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 59 |
| 1920s | 129 |
| 1930s | 99 |
| 1940s | 25 |
| 1950s | 25 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 6 |
Meaning & origin
Oletta is a rare and obscure American name that first appeared in Social Security records in 1912. Its peak popularity came just two years later, in 1914, when it ranked highest among given names, though it never entered common usage. As of 2025, its rank of 13,208 means it is given to fewer than 1 in 267,878 babies, a frequency that has remained stable over the decades. The name's origins are opaque, possibly a creative elaboration of the suffix -etta or a variant of Oleta, fitting the early 20th century fashion for feminine, melodic names. Oletta has no recorded top states, suggesting it was used sporadically across the country. Its rarity and vintage charm may appeal to parents seeking a truly distinctive name with a sweet, old-fashioned sound.
Oletta likely emerged in the United States in the early 20th century as a variant of the name Oleta, which may itself be a shortened form of names like Colette or a feminine elaboration of the suffix -etta. Records show its earliest use in 1912, and it saw modest popularity during the 1910s, peaking in 1914. Its exact derivation is unclear, but it fits the pattern of melodious, feminine names popular in that era.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ollie, Etta, Lettie
Sibling names for Oletta
Names that share Oletta's style, for a brother or sister.
