Loretha Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Loretha has its roots in the Latin name 'Laura', meaning 'laurel'. It evolved through Italian forms like 'Lauretta' and 'Loretta' before becoming the modern variant 'Loretha'. The name carries connotations of victory and honor, reflective of the laurel tree. It does not have direct biblical references. Loretha gained popularity in the 20th century and is appreciated today for its uniqueness and vintage charm.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Loretha"
Pronunciation
/ləˈriːθə/
Origin
English
Etymology
Loretha is a modern variant of the name Loretta, which is derived from the Italian name 'Lauretta', a diminutive form of 'Laura', meaning 'laurel' or 'bay tree'.
Meaning
Laurel
Language Evolution
Laura (Latin), Lauretta (Italian), Loretta (Italian), Loretha (Modern English)
Historical Usage
Loretha gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in the United States, as a feminine name influenced by the common name Loretta.
Variants & Derivatives
Loretta, Lori, Loriann, Retha
Modern Popularity & Image
Loretha is perceived as a unique and vintage name that has a warm and nurturing connotation, often associated with a sense of elegance.
Famous People
Loretha E. Green, American educator and community leader, Loretha A. McKinney, American civil rights activist
📊 Loretha Name Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Loretha Name Visualizations
✨ Loretha Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 45 peak births in 1954
Geographic Spread
Popular across 8 US states, with strongest presence in Georgia
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 5 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Loretha"
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 "Loretha"
"Loretha" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2415th of 9107 | 238 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1482nd of 9204 | 506 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1756th of 12526 | 689 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 3515th of 19264 | 295 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 12276th of 27321 | 64 |
Regional Popularity of "Loretha" 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 "Loretha" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
63.86% 1511th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
50.66% 1192nd/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
78.49% 1748th/2227 |
- |
45.43% 1296th/2853 |
- |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - |
81.24% 2858th/3518 |
- |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Loretha"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Loretha" 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.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Loretha" in the United States
The name Loretha is most popular in Georgia, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Baby Boomers generation in the South region. 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, Loretha has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in South. Across generations, 'Loretha' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2415th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1482nd out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1756th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3515th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 12276th out of 27321 names. Discover how the name 'Loretha' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.