Home › Baby Names Directory › Lateshia

Lateshia

♀ Girl

Pronounced lah-TEE-shah /ləˈtiː.ʃə/Medium

Meaning: Lateshia is a phonetic spelling of Latisha, an African American favorite derived from Letitia/Leticia, from the Latin 'laetitia', 'joy' or 'gladness'. The -eshia spelling writes the sound out plainly.Medium

In 30 seconds: Lateshia is a spelling of Latisha - rooted in the Latin 'laetitia', 'joy' - recast phonetically (said 'lah-TEE-shah').

💕 Browse more names

Origin MediumLatin, English

MeaningLateshia is a phonetic spelling of Latisha, an African American favorite derived from Letitia/Leticia, from the Latin 'laetitia', 'joy' or 'gladness'. The -eshia spelling writes the sound out plainly.

U.S. rank (1999)#15776 ↘ Falling

1999 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1989

Total births (all-time)≈ 682

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

The parent name Latisha comes from Letitia, itself from Latin laetitia, 'joy' or 'gladness', a name used since medieval times. Lateshia is one of many phonetic respellings that flourished in Black American communities, dressing a classic root in a fresh, distinctive look.

It appears in American records mainly from the early nineteen-seventies into the late nineties, cresting toward the end of the eighties. It reads as a name of that era, and a girl named Lateshia today is likely in her thirties or forties.

Did you know? Lateshia belongs to the creative La- names of the 1970s and 80s; it stayed rare, peaking at only a few dozen girls a year around 1989.

Overall data confidence 55%

References - Lateshia — spelling of Latisha; Latin 'laetitia' joy

Variations

LatishaLetishaLatishia

Nicknames

TishaLettie

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Lateshia…

Latisha— the parent name, same Latin 'joy' root and sound

Leticia— the classical form behind the meaning, 'gladness'

Latoya— a like La- girls' name of the same creative era

Lakeisha— another popular La-/-eisha name of the period

Explore names like Lateshia

By themerare vintage latin

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Lateshia mean?

Lateshia is a spelling of Latisha and traces to Latin 'laetitia', meaning 'joy' or 'gladness'.

How do you pronounce Lateshia?

It's said lah-TEE-shah /ləˈtiː.ʃə/ - three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Lateshia a boy or girl name?

Lateshia is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Lateshia?

Lateshia has always been an uncommon spelling in the U.S., most visible in the nineteen-eighties.