Leta
Leta is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Glad, joyful, or bringer of news; also associated with the mythological figure Leda.
Origin and history
Leta is a given name of Greek origin, often considered a variant of Leda or a short form of names like Aleta or Violeta. In Greek mythology, Leda was a queen of Sparta and mother of Helen of Troy. Though it was moderately popular in the early 20th century in the United States, it is now a rare given name.
Popularity in the United States
11,944 babies in the United States have been named Leta since 1880. It ranks #1481 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2022.
States where it is most popular
- TX (22.7 %)
- OK (12.2 %)
- MO (11.8 %)
- IL (7.3 %)
- CA (7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 289 |
| 1890-1900 | 666 |
| 1900-1910 | 863 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,663 |
| 1920-1930 | 2,072 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,587 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,332 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,439 |
| 1960-1970 | 864 |
| 1970-1980 | 426 |
| 1980-1990 | 265 |
| 1990-2000 | 156 |
| 2000-2010 | 124 |
| 2010-2019 | 119 |
| 2020-2029 | 79 |
Famous people named Leta
- Leta Stetter Hollingworth: Psychologist, Educator
- Leta Lindley: Golfer
Fun facts
- Leta experienced its highest U.S. popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries before gradually declining.
- As a derivative of Leda, the name connects directly to ancient Greek mythological traditions.