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Lettie

♀ Girl

Pronounced LET-ee /ˈlɛt.iː/High

Meaning: Joy or happiness; a diminutive of Letitia, from the Latin laetitia meaning joy, gladness, or happinessHigh

In 30 seconds: Lettie is a Victorian diminutive of Letitia meaning joy and happiness, a sweet two-syllable name that pairs vintage charm with the modern trend for short, soft girls names ending in -ie.
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Origin HighLatin, English
MeaningJoy or happiness; a diminutive of Letitia, from the Latin laetitia meaning joy, gladness, or happiness
U.S. rank (2025)#757 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births358 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2025
Total births (all-time)≈ 11,097

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202518802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Lettie is a diminutive of Letitia (or Laetitia), from the Latin laetitia, meaning joy, gladness, or happiness. The root verb laetari means to rejoice. Letitia was used in the Roman Empire as a given name and later adopted by early Christians as a virtue name celebrating the joy of faith.

In Victorian Britain, Letitia and its pet forms Letty, Lettie, and Lettice were fashionable names. They declined through most of the 20th century but are now part of a broader vintage revival in English-speaking countries. Lettie stands as an independent given name appealing to parents who love old-fashioned charm.

Did you know? Letitia was the name of several Roman empresses and saints, but in Victorian England it became enormously popular, spawning pet forms like Letty, Lettie, and Tish that are now experiencing a vintage revival.
Overall data confidence 93%
Behind the Name — Letitia — Latin root and historical usageU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

LetitiaLettyLaetitiaLettice

Nicknames

LettTish

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Lettie…

Hattie— same Victorian -ie diminutive charm with a soft, two-syllable feel
Lottie— shares the exact same vintage -ottie/-ettie suffix pattern
Nettie— fellow sweet Victorian pet-name form now standing independently
Millie— same bright, vintage two-syllable -ie girls name revival

Frequently Asked

What does the name Lettie mean?

Lettie means joy or happiness, as a diminutive of Letitia from the Latin laetitia.

How do you pronounce Lettie?

It is said LET-ee, two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Lettie a nickname or a full name?

Lettie began as a Victorian pet form of Letitia but is now used as a full standalone given name.

Is Lettie coming back in style?

Yes, Lettie is part of a broader revival of sweet Victorian diminutives like Lottie, Hattie, and Millie.