Retha
Retha is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Virtue or excellence, derived from Aretha, or pearl, derived from Margaretha.
Origin and history
Retha is a feminine given name that developed primarily as a short form of Aretha or Margaretha. In the United States, it enjoyed moderate usage in the early-to-mid 20th century but has since become extremely rare. Today, it offers a vintage, understated alternative to longer classical names.
Popularity in the United States
10,597 babies in the United States have been named Retha since 1880. It ranks #1579 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- NC (13.1 %)
- GA (10.1 %)
- TX (9.1 %)
- AR (8.1 %)
- OK (7.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 30 |
| 1890-1900 | 178 |
| 1900-1910 | 446 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,372 |
| 1920-1930 | 2,078 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,868 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,702 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,595 |
| 1960-1970 | 872 |
| 1970-1980 | 257 |
| 1980-1990 | 143 |
| 1990-2000 | 46 |
| 2000-2010 | 5 |
| 2010-2019 | 5 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Famous people named Retha
- Retha Warnicke: Historian, Author
Fun facts
- Retha originated as a clipped pet form of longer names like Aretha or Margaretha.
- The name was most popular in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s.