Coretha is a unique and distinctive given name of African American origin. It is believed to have been created by the influential author and activist Alice Walker in her novel "The Color Purple," published in 1982. In the novel, Coretha is one of the main characters, known for her strength, resilience, and determination.
The meaning of Coretha is not explicitly stated in the novel or elsewhere, but some sources suggest it may be derived from African roots, possibly meaning "bringer of light" or a variation of the name Cordelia. However, since Walker created the name herself, its true origin and meaning remain open to interpretation.
Before appearing in "The Color Purple," Coretha was not a widely recognized name. Since then, it has gained some popularity among African American communities, likely due to its association with the novel's themes of empowerment and female strength.
In popular culture, aside from Walker's novel, Coretha has made appearances in various forms of media. For instance, it is the name of one of the main characters in the television series "Greenleaf," played by actress Deborah Joy Winans.
Despite its relatively recent introduction to the world, Coretha stands out as a powerful and memorable name, embodying the spirit of strength and determination it was associated with in Alice Walker's seminal work.
The name Coretha has a unique history of usage in the United States, as evidenced by the statistics provided. Between 1914 and 2019, there were a total of 505 babies named Coretha born in the U.S. The name's popularity fluctuated over time, with periods of higher and lower usage.
In the early years recorded (1914 to 1937), there was an average of about 8 births per year, with a notable spike in 1925, when 19 babies were named Coretha. This was the highest number of Coretha births in any given year during this period.
The name's usage then decreased significantly between 1937 and 1960, with an average of only about 4 births per year. The highest year within this span was 1958, with 11 Coretha births.
From 1961 onwards, the name Coretha became even less common, with fewer than 10 babies named Coretha born each year on average. There were only four years recorded after 1978 where at least one baby was named Coretha: two in 1978 and 1979 (with six and seven births respectively), and two more in 1988 with seven births.
These statistics show that while the name Coretha was once somewhat popular, it has become increasingly rare over time. Nevertheless, each of these 505 babies named Coretha holds a unique place in history and represents a piece of America's naming tradition.