Joretta is a unique and distinctive given name of American origin. It was created by the famous American actress and singer, Jennifer Holiday, for her daughter who was born in the late 1980s. The name Joretta has gained popularity since then, particularly in African-American communities.
The meaning of Joretta is not explicitly known as it was invented by Jennifer Holiday herself. However, some people believe that it may be a combination of "Joy" and "Ettie," which could suggest that the name signifies happiness or joyfulness. Others interpret it as a blend of "Jo" (short for Joseph or Josephine) and "etta" (a common ending in many names), giving it a more personal and familial significance.
There is no historical figure named Joretta, nor any significant events associated with this name. It is purely a modern creation and has not been recorded as an official name in any language or culture beyond its origin in the United States.
Despite its lack of historical context, the name Joretta has become increasingly popular due to its unique sound and association with the talented Jennifer Holiday. Today, it is considered a distinctive and creative choice for parents looking for a memorable name for their daughter.
The name Joretta experienced a significant popularity peak during the early 1930s in the United States. In 1930 and 1931, there were respectively 33 and 194 births with the name Joretta. However, this popularity declined rapidly thereafter, dropping to just 7 births in 1959.
The highest number of births recorded for the name Joretta was in 1931, with a total of 194 babies given this name that year. This figure is quite exceptional and suggests that there might have been a particular event or trend that led to its popularity during that specific period.
After the 1930s, the number of births with the name Joretta fluctuated significantly but remained relatively low, with only a handful of babies given this name each year from 1947 onwards. The lowest point was reached in 1959 and 1968, with just 7 births recorded both years.
In total, between 1930 and 1972, there were 1,033 babies born in the United States named Joretta. This data provides an interesting insight into the historical trend of this name's popularity over time.