Given name
Aretta
“one who is virtuous; excellent”
Aretta is a variant of Aretha. One Greek interpretation is “one who is virtuous; excellent.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Aretta is a variant of Aretha. One Greek interpretation is “one who is virtuous; excellent.”
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
Aretta is a variant of Aretha. An origin associated with Aretha is Greek.
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1900. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Aretta through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 1,142
- 0 boys · 1,142 girls
- Most popular year
- 1923
- 33 babies
- 2025
- 0
- Outside the ranked list
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- —
- Too few births to compare
By the numbers
The most recent published U.S. birth count for girls is 6 in 1991. Later missing counts do not mean the name went unused. Its largest published annual count for girls was 33 in 1923. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 427 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 2
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Similar names
If you love Aretta, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Alta
“to be elevated”
>99% girls
Marietta
Marietta is used as a given name and a surname. Marietta is connected with Maria and Mary.
>99% girls
Aletta
“small and winged”
>99% girls
Adella
“of the nobility; serene; of good humor”
>99% girls
Annamae
>99% girls
Alvina
“triend of the elves” · “friend of the elves”
>99% girls
Alida
“small and winged”
>99% girls
Elnora
“shining light”
>99% girls