Letitia is a feminine given name of Latin origin. It is derived from the Latin word "laetitia," which means "happiness" or "joy." The name Letitia was particularly popular during the Middle Ages in Europe, especially among Catholic families due to its religious connotations.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Letitia. One of the most well-known is Letitia Christian Tyler, who served as the First Lady of the United States from 1842 to 1844 as the wife of President John Tyler. Additionally, Letitia Elizabeth Landon, an English poet and novelist, was known for her popular romantic verses published in the early 19th century.
In literature, Letitia is also a character in Oscar Wilde's novel "The Importance of Being Earnest." The name has been used in various other works of fiction, further contributing to its familiarity and recognition. Overall, the name Letitia carries a sense of historical significance and timeless elegance due to its Latin origins and the notable figures who have borne it throughout history.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Letecia has seen a varied trend of popularity over several decades in the United States.
The year with the highest number of babies named Letecia was 1975, with 26 births recorded that year. This peak could indicate that there might have been a particular cultural influence or preference for this name during that time period.
However, the popularity of the name has significantly declined since then. From the late 1980s onwards, the number of babies named Letecia has remained quite low, often ranging between 5 to 14 births per year. For instance, in 2003 and 2004, there were only 5 births each year with the name Leticia.
Overall, over a span of around 60 years (from 1957 to around 2018), there have been a total of 525 babies named Letecia born in the United States. This statistic reflects that while Letecia was once a fairly popular name, its popularity has waned over time. However, it's important to note that even with these lower numbers of births in recent years, the name Leticia continues to be chosen for some children each year, indicating there may still be families who appreciate and prefer this name.