girls' name · peaked 1973

Alethea

Borrowed from Ancient Greek ἀλήθεια (alḗtheia).

Every Alethea since 1892 — 4,968 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.060.130.190.2518801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1973Girls
Rank 2025
#3,030
among girls
Babies in 2025
54
named Alethea
Peak year
1973
322 babies
All-time total
4,968
since 1892

The story of Alethea

Alethea is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #3,030 in 2025 with 54 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1892, 4,968 American babies have been named Alethea. Its peak came in 1973, when 322 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.

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 Alethea stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Alethea year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank
2025 54 #3,030
2024 65 #2,661
2023 74 #2,415
2022 80 #2,320
2021 81 #2,268
2020 62 #2,683
2019 51 #3,131
2018 29 #4,669
2017 50 #3,192
2016 28 #4,858
2015 40 #3,772
2014 36 #4,107
2013 40 #3,785
2012 28 #4,969
2011 33 #4,361
2010 25 #5,424
2009 26 #5,387
2008 28 #5,150
2007 34 #4,384
2006 26 #5,242
2005 27 #4,834
2004 34 #4,094
2003 38 #3,660
2002 26 #4,634
2001 34 #3,788
2000 31 #3,984
1995 25 #4,101
1990 41 #2,800
1985 43 #2,317
1980 76 #1,542
1975 101 #1,145
1970 87 #1,263
1965 65 #1,366
1960 84 #1,188
1955 58 #1,320
1950 34 #1,602
1945 12 #2,602
1940 13 #2,299
1935 10 #2,736
1930 10 #2,846
1925 17 #2,195
1920 33 #1,377
1915 22 #1,571
1910 9 #1,637
1905
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Alethea mean?

Borrowed from Ancient Greek ἀλήθεια (alḗtheia).

How popular is the name Alethea in 2025?

Alethea ranked #3,030 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 54 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Alethea?

4,968 babies have been named Alethea in the United States since 1892, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Alethea most popular?

Alethea peaked in 1973, when 322 newborns received the name.

Is Alethea a boy or girl name?

Alethea is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Alethea rising or falling?

Alethea is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Names like Alethea

Compare Alethea with similar names →