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Aretha

♀ Girl

Pronounced uh-REE-thuh /əˈriː.θə/Medium

Meaning: From the Greek arete, 'virtue, excellence.' A rare classical name, it became famous through singer Aretha Franklin, whose late-1960s success lifted its use.Medium

In 30 seconds: Aretha comes from Greek arete, 'virtue, excellence,' famed through Aretha Franklin (said 'uh-REE-thuh').

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Origin MediumGreek

MeaningFrom the Greek arete, 'virtue, excellence.' A rare classical name, it became famous through singer Aretha Franklin, whose late-1960s success lifted its use.

U.S. rank (2023)#13616 ↗ Rising

2023 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1968

Total births (all-time)≈ 5,656

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Aretha derives from the Greek arete, 'virtue, excellence.' Long an uncommon classical name, it gained wide notice through the singer Aretha Franklin, whose commanding success in the late 1960s drove its American peak around 1968; it then eased back, staying tied to that era and its famous namesake.

A few thousand American girls received it in all; Aretha now reads as a soulful vintage name of the late 1960s.

Did you know? Aretha peaked around 1968, lifted by Aretha Franklin's late-1960s fame, then faded within a generation.

Overall data confidence 72%

References — Aretha — Greek arete 'excellence'; Aretha Franklin's fame

Variations

ArithaAretheaAreta

Nicknames

ReethaRetha

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Aretha…

Alethea— a like Greek-rooted name

Coretta— a same-era name of the period

Retha— a common short form

Aletha— a similarly popular pick

Dorotha— shares Aretha's Greek roots

Explore names like Aretha

By themevintage virtue-name 1960s greek-root

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Aretha mean?

Aretha comes from the Greek arete, meaning 'virtue, excellence.'

How do you pronounce Aretha?

It's said uh-REE-thuh /əˈriː.θə/ — three syllables, stress on the middle.

Is Aretha a boy or girl name?

Aretha is used as a girl's name.

Is Aretha making a comeback?

Not widely — it's a late-nineteen-sixties favorite that has been uncommon since, though its ties to a beloved singer keep it fondly remembered.