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Home › Baby Names Directory › Iretha

Iretha

♀ Girl

Pronounced eye-REE-thuh /aɪˈriː.θə/Medium

Meaning: Iretha is a name in the Aretha and Iretta group, usually connected to the Greek arete, 'excellence, virtue.' The i- opening and -tha ending give it an early-century American flavor; the exact base is uncertain, but the arete link supplies its most likely meaning.Low

In 30 seconds: Iretha is a variant tied to Aretha, linked to Greek arete, 'excellence.' It was rare among American girls, peaking in the nineteen-fifties.
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Origin LowGreek, American
MeaningIretha is a name in the Aretha and Iretta group, usually connected to the Greek arete, 'excellence, virtue.' The i- opening and -tha ending give it an early-century American flavor; the exact base is uncertain, but the arete link supplies its most likely meaning.
U.S. rank (1977)#10182 ↘ Falling
1977 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1957
Total births (all-time)≈ 359

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 195719151977

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

Iretha belongs with Aretha and Iretta, names most often traced to the Greek arete, 'excellence, virtue.' The i- opening and soft -tha ending place it among early- and mid-century American girl names of a melodic, home-grown kind. Its precise formation is uncertain, but arete gives it a fitting and dignified sense.

It was never common, given to only about sixteen girls a year around its peak near 1957. A girl named Iretha then is in her sixties today.

Did you know? Aretha, made famous by the singer Aretha Franklin, shares the arete root, 'virtue'; Iretha is a rarer cousin with the same graceful -tha ending.
Overall data confidence 30%
References - Iretha — Variant tied to Aretha/Iretta; likely Greek arete 'excellence/virtue'; base uncertain

Variations

ArethaIrettaIrathaOretha

Nicknames

RethaIra

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Iretha…

Aretha— the close cousin name
Oretha— a like -etha vintage name
Bertha— a similar -tha vintage name
Leotha— shares the -ha ending
Tammatha— another vintage pick

Explore names like Iretha

By themeuncertainrarevintagevariantgirl

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Iretha mean?

It is a variant tied to Aretha, most often linked to the Greek arete, 'excellence, virtue.'

How do you pronounce Iretha?

It is said eye-REE-thuh /aɪˈriː.θə/, three syllables with the stress in the middle.

Is Iretha a boy or girl name?

Iretha is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Iretha?

It has always been rare in the United States, given to only about sixteen girls a year around its mid-century peak.

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