Claretha is a unique and distinctive name of African American origin. It is derived from the Latin word " Clarus," which means "clear" or "bright." The name Claretha is believed to have been created by combining the elements "Clara" and "Etha," with Clara meaning "clear" and Etha being a variation of the Greek name "Aethalia," which means "noble" or "elegant."
The name Claretha gained popularity during the mid-20th century in the United States, particularly among African American communities. It was often given to girls born around this time as a way to honor their heritage while also incorporating a touch of elegance and uniqueness.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the name Claretha. One such person is Claretha "Reatha" Goodloe, an American jazz singer who performed in the 1950s and 1960s. She was known for her powerful and expressive vocals, contributing to the evolution of rhythm and blues music during this era.
Today, Claretha remains a lesser-known name but continues to be appreciated for its uniqueness and rich history. It is often chosen by parents who wish to give their daughter a distinctive name with deep roots in African American culture and heritage. Despite its unique spelling, Claretha is also believed to have some connection to the more popular name "Clarissa," which may make it easier for others to recognize and pronounce.
In summary, Claretha is an African American name of Latin origin that means "clear" or "bright." It was created by combining elements from names like Clara and Etha, with historical figures such as jazz singer Reatha Goodloe helping to solidify its place in American culture. Although not widely popular today, Claretha remains a distinctive and meaningful name choice for parents looking to honor their daughter's heritage while giving her a unique identity.
Based on the statistics provided, we can observe several trends regarding the number of births with the name Claretha in the United States from 1918 to 1989.
From 1918 to 1947, there was a consistent increase in the number of babies named Claretha each year, with notable spikes in 1932 (28 births) and 1948 (41 births). This period saw a significant rise in popularity for the name.
However, from 1949 onwards, we see a steady decline in the number of newborn girls being named Claretha. The peak of 41 births in 1948 was not matched again until 1952 with 38 births. After that, the numbers fell and fluctuated between 20 to 40 births per year until the late 1960s.
The decline continued into the 1970s and 1980s, with fewer than 10 babies named Claretha each year during this period. There was a brief spike in 1981 (7 births), but overall, the name's popularity dwindled significantly.
In total, over the entire period from 1918 to 1989, there were 1,109 babies named Claretha born in the United States. This data demonstrates the changing trends and patterns of naming practices over time.