Aletha
Derived from Ancient Greek ἀλήθεια (alḗtheia), meaning "truth", "speaker of truth, one who speaks truth".
Every Aletha since 1881 — 6,948 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Aletha
Aletha is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1881, 6,948 American babies have been named Aletha. Its peak came in 1923, when 145 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Aletha stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Aletha year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | 8 | #11,169 |
| 2023 | 5 | #15,298 |
| 2022 | 5 | #15,424 |
| 2021 | 7 | #12,274 |
| 2020 | 6 | #13,528 |
| 2019 | 10 | #9,764 |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | 6 | #14,235 |
| 2016 | 6 | #14,434 |
| 2015 | 5 | #16,544 |
| 2014 | 5 | #16,639 |
| 2013 | 7 | #13,226 |
| 2012 | 9 | #11,309 |
| 2011 | 11 | #9,746 |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | 16 | #7,700 |
| 2008 | 12 | #9,507 |
| 2007 | 10 | #10,851 |
| 2006 | 8 | #12,474 |
| 2005 | 9 | #10,954 |
| 2004 | 11 | #9,283 |
| 2003 | 14 | #7,597 |
| 2002 | 14 | #7,460 |
| 2001 | 15 | #6,970 |
| 2000 | 19 | #5,710 |
| 1995 | 14 | #6,268 |
| 1990 | 22 | #4,384 |
| 1985 | 40 | #2,441 |
| 1980 | 53 | #1,981 |
| 1975 | 52 | #1,780 |
| 1970 | 88 | #1,259 |
| 1965 | 89 | #1,122 |
| 1960 | 77 | #1,248 |
| 1955 | 112 | #929 |
| 1950 | 63 | #1,161 |
| 1945 | 54 | #1,061 |
| 1940 | 48 | #1,036 |
| 1935 | 65 | #855 |
| 1930 | 67 | #881 |
| 1925 | 103 | #725 |
| 1920 | 139 | #604 |
| 1915 | 91 | #696 |
| 1910 | 38 | #691 |
| 1905 | 29 | #656 |
| 1900 | 25 | #725 |
| 1895 | 14 | #859 |
| 1890 | 7 | #1,099 |
| 1885 | 8 | #793 |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Aletha mean?
Derived from Ancient Greek ἀλήθεια (alḗtheia), meaning "truth", "speaker of truth, one who speaks truth".
How popular is the name Aletha in 2025?
Aletha did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Aletha?
6,948 babies have been named Aletha in the United States since 1881, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Aletha most popular?
Aletha peaked in 1923, when 145 newborns received the name.
Is Aletha a boy or girl name?
Aletha is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Aletha rising or falling?
Aletha is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.