Letha Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Letha is a name with Greek origins, meaning forgetfulness or oblivion, stemming from the word 'lethe' associated with mythological themes. The name has evolved through various forms over the centuries and is primarily recognized in modern usage as a unique choice. It holds no biblical significance and became popular in the 19th century. Today, Letha evokes a vintage charm and appeals to those who appreciate its distinctiveness.
The name Letha is most popular in Oklahoma, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Letha has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Letha' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 5314th out of 7545 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 300th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 473rd out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 762nd out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1304th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 4107th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 14712th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 16495th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Letha' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Letha"
Pronunciation
/ˈliːθə/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Letha is derived from the Greek word 'lethe,' which refers to forgetfulness or oblivion, often associated with the river Lethe in Greek mythology that caused forgetfulness in those who drank from it.
Meaning
forgetfulness, oblivion
Language Evolution
Letha (modern English), Lethe (Latin), Λήθη (Lēthē) (Ancient Greek)
Historical Usage
Letha has been used as a name since the 19th century and gained popularity in some English-speaking countries due to its unique sound and mythological associations.
Variants & Derivatives
Letha, Lethe, Leitha
Modern Popularity & Image
Letha is considered a unique and somewhat rare name today, often viewed as vintage or old-fashioned, appealing to those looking for distinctiveness.
Famous People
Letha Dawson Scanzoni (American author and speaker), Letha R. F. G. (Letha C. J. R. R.) (a notable figure in folklore studies)
Explore More Letha Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Letha"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Letha"
"Letha" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 5314th of 7545 | 25 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 300th of 9107 | 8,313 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 473rd of 9204 | 4,012 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 762nd of 12526 | 3,185 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1304th of 19264 | 1,372 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 4107th of 27321 | 366 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 14712th of 35406 | 80 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 16495th of 30306 | 44 |
Regional Popularity of "Letha" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Letha" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
19.14% 271st/1416 |
42.28% 583rd/1379 |
10.61% 251st/2366 |
36.16% 413th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
29.11% 450th/1546 |
67.22% 1046th/1556 |
15.21% 358th/2353 |
45.31% 701st/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
36.10% 804th/2227 |
68.11% 1655th/2430 |
18.82% 537th/2853 |
34.85% 967th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
45.93% 1349th/2937 |
81.51% 2839th/3483 |
25.78% 907th/3518 |
53.07% 2146th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - |
76.32% 3964th/5194 |
77.38% 4888th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Letha"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Letha" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.