Maretha is a unique and distinctive female given name of Dutch origin. It is derived from the Dutch name Maria, which means "sea of bitterness" or "rebelliousness." The name Maretha was traditionally used in the Netherlands as a variation of the name Maria, but it has gained popularity as an independent name in recent years.
The name Maretha has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages. In medieval times, it was often used among the nobility and was considered to be a prestigious name. It is also associated with several notable historical figures, including Saint Martha, one of the sisters of Lazarus who was said to have been a devoted follower of Jesus Christ.
Today, Maretha continues to be a popular given name in the Netherlands, where it is often used as an alternative to more traditional names such as Maria or Magdalena. It is also becoming increasingly common in other parts of Europe and beyond, thanks in part to its unique sound and elegant connotations.
Based on the statistics provided, it appears that the name Maretha was more popular in the mid-20th century in the United States than it is today. The name reached its peak popularity during the years 1942 and 1945 with a total of 9 and 7 births respectively. However, by the late 1950s, the number of babies named Maretha had decreased significantly to just 5 births each year in 1954 and 1958.
Overall, from 1928 to 1958, there were a total of 31 babies born with the name Maretha in the United States. This shows that while it was not an extremely common name during this period, it was still used enough to have some presence among newborns.