Retha Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Retha originates from Hebrew, meaning 'friend' or 'companion', evolving from the name Ruth. It has historical significance in biblical contexts related to loyalty and companionship. The name Retha, emerging in the 20th century, is seen as vintage and evokes positive traits. While it is not directly biblical, its connection to Ruth adds depth to its significance.
The name Retha is most popular in Arkansas, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Silent Generation 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, Retha 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, 'Retha' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 491st out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 521st out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 821st out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2203rd out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 7264th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 30690th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 30306th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Retha' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Retha"
Pronunciation
/ˈriːθə/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
Retha is derived from the Hebrew name 'Ruth', which means 'friend' or 'companion'.
Meaning
friend, companion
Language Evolution
Ruth (Hebrew), Retha (English)
Biblical Background
Retha does not have a direct biblical reference, but it is related to the name Ruth, which is significant in the Bible.
Historical Usage
The name Retha gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, as a derivative of Ruth.
Variants & Derivatives
Ruth, Reta
Modern Popularity & Image
Retha is considered a unique and vintage name that evokes a sense of nostalgia and warmth.
Famous People
Retha Jones, an American author, Retha McGowan, a noted educator
Explore More Retha Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Retha"
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 "Retha"
"Retha" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 491st of 9107 | 3,488 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 521st of 9204 | 3,280 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 821st of 12526 | 2,819 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 2203rd of 19264 | 603 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 7264th of 27321 | 161 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 30690th of 35406 | 10 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 30306th of 30306 | 5 |
Regional Popularity of "Retha" 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 "Retha" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
39.05% 553rd/1416 |
68.60% 946th/1379 |
14.88% 352nd/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
42.24% 653rd/1546 |
- |
15.13% 356th/2353 |
68.33% 1057th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
47.01% 1047th/2227 |
100.00% 2430th/2430 |
18.12% 517th/2853 |
47.17% 1309th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - |
45.34% 1595th/3518 |
- |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Retha"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Retha" 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.