Aretha is a unique and captivating female given name of American origin. It is derived from the Greek name Aristia, which means "best" or "excellent." The name Aretha was popularized in the United States by the renowned singer Aretha Franklin, often referred to as the "Queen of Soul." Born in 1942, Franklin had an extraordinary impact on the music industry and became a symbol of African American culture. Although she did not birth the name Aretha, her powerful vocals and influential career have made it synonymous with her legacy. Today, the name Aretha carries a strong association with strength, elegance, and musical talent. Despite its origins in ancient Greece, Aretha has become deeply rooted in African American history and culture. Its unique sound and powerful meaning make it an attractive choice for parents looking for distinctive names for their daughters.
The name Aretha has seen a varied trend in popularity over the past century in the United States. In the early 1900s, it was quite uncommon, with only a handful of babies named Aretha each year between 1900 and 1923.
However, starting from 1924, there was a notable increase in the number of newborn girls named Aretha. This trend continued throughout the 1920s and 1930s, with the number of births peaking at 39 in 1932 and again in 1934.
The popularity of the name Aretha reached its zenith in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1967, there were a significant 385 babies named Aretha, followed by an even higher figure of 543 in 1968. This decade also saw the name reach the top 1000 most popular names for girls in the U.S., peaking at number 291 in 1970.
After this high point, the popularity of the name Aretha began to decline. It fell out of the top 1000 most popular names by the mid-1980s and has remained relatively uncommon since then. Between 2000 and 2023, there were typically between 5 and 10 babies named Aretha each year in the U.S.
In total, over the past century, there have been approximately 5656 babies named Aretha born in the United States. Despite its ups and downs in popularity, Aretha remains a unique and distinctive name with a rich history.