Althea is a unique and uncommon feminine given name of Greek origin. Its meaning is derived from the Greek word "althea," which refers to the healing plant known as marshmallow. This plant was highly regarded by ancient Greeks for its medicinal properties, particularly in treating sore throats.
The name Althea first appeared in literature during the Middle Ages, used by Geoffrey Chaucer in his Canterbury Tales. In one of the tales, a character named "Prioresse" is described as having hair like "flaxen thread," which was later misinterpreted as "Althe(a)" in some manuscripts.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Althea. One famous example is Althea Gibson, an American tennis player who won numerous grand slam titles during the 1950s and 1960s, becoming the first African-American to do so. Her achievements helped break racial barriers in sports.
Althea has also been used as a given name for characters in various forms of media. For instance, Althea is a major character in the video game "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild," and there is an "Althea" in the comic book series "Fables."
While not very common, the name Althea holds a certain uniqueness and elegance, with its roots deeply planted in Greek history and culture. It serves as a beautiful tribute to the healing power of nature and the resilience of those who bear this distinctive name.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Althea has seen a varied trend in popularity over the years in the United States.
From 1880 to around 1950, there was a steady increase in the number of births with the name Althea. The lowest point was in 1880 with only 9 births, while the highest was in 1956 with 389 births. This period saw a significant rise in popularity for the name.
However, after 1956, there was a steady decline in the number of babies named Althea. The lowest point in recent years was in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, with only 156 births. This could be attributed to various factors such as changing trends in naming babies or demographic shifts.
Despite the fluctuations, it's interesting to note that the name Althea has maintained some level of popularity over the years. In total, there have been 17,644 births with the name Althea in the United States since 1880.
These statistics reflect the dynamic nature of naming trends and the fact that certain names can maintain popularity over generations while others may fall in and out of favor. They also provide a fascinating insight into the history of baby naming in the United States.