Althea
From Althaia or Althaea of Greek mythology, from Ancient Greek Ἀλθαία (Althaía).
Every Althea since 1880 — 17,985 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Althea
Althea is uncommon for girls in the United States, ranked #1,299 in 2025 with 171 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 17,985 American babies have been named Althea. Its peak came in 1956, when 388 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1950s.
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 Althea stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Althea year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 171 | #1,299 | — | — |
| 2024 | 160 | #1,398 | — | — |
| 2023 | 167 | #1,348 | — | — |
| 2022 | 175 | #1,343 | — | — |
| 2021 | 145 | #1,476 | — | — |
| 2020 | 156 | #1,399 | — | — |
| 2019 | 167 | #1,355 | — | — |
| 2018 | 162 | #1,386 | — | — |
| 2017 | 154 | #1,460 | — | — |
| 2016 | 128 | #1,668 | — | — |
| 2015 | 130 | #1,644 | — | — |
| 2014 | 92 | #2,098 | — | — |
| 2013 | 101 | #1,955 | — | — |
| 2012 | 73 | #2,497 | — | — |
| 2011 | 72 | #2,511 | — | — |
| 2010 | 81 | #2,342 | — | — |
| 2009 | 75 | #2,511 | — | — |
| 2008 | 59 | #2,959 | — | — |
| 2007 | 57 | #3,051 | — | — |
| 2006 | 57 | #2,979 | — | — |
| 2005 | 68 | #2,527 | — | — |
| 2004 | 66 | #2,526 | — | — |
| 2003 | 69 | #2,394 | — | — |
| 2002 | 55 | #2,745 | — | — |
| 2001 | 53 | #2,767 | — | — |
| 2000 | 68 | #2,280 | — | — |
| 1995 | 40 | #2,934 | — | — |
| 1990 | 55 | #2,290 | — | — |
| 1985 | 44 | #2,283 | — | — |
| 1980 | 69 | #1,658 | — | — |
| 1975 | 76 | #1,381 | — | — |
| 1970 | 150 | #884 | — | — |
| 1965 | 213 | #674 | — | — |
| 1960 | 216 | #692 | — | — |
| 1955 | 248 | #580 | — | — |
| 1950 | 309 | #462 | — | — |
| 1945 | 110 | #713 | — | — |
| 1940 | 101 | #693 | — | — |
| 1935 | 141 | #540 | — | — |
| 1930 | 175 | #506 | — | — |
| 1925 | 258 | #428 | — | — |
| 1920 | 336 | #356 | — | — |
| 1915 | 266 | #368 | — | — |
| 1910 | 91 | #412 | — | — |
| 1905 | 46 | #497 | — | — |
| 1900 | 35 | #590 | — | — |
| 1895 | 32 | #520 | — | — |
| 1890 | 19 | #600 | — | — |
| 1885 | 14 | #576 | — | — |
| 1880 | 9 | #581 | — | — |
Famous people named Althea
- Althea Gibson Tennis player · 1927–2003
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Althea mean?
From Althaia or Althaea of Greek mythology, from Ancient Greek Ἀλθαία (Althaía).
How popular is the name Althea in 2025?
Althea ranked #1,299 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 171 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Althea?
17,985 babies have been named Althea in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Althea most popular?
Althea peaked in 1956, when 388 newborns received the name.
Is Althea a boy or girl name?
Althea is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Althea rising or falling?
Althea is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Althea?
Well-known people named Althea include Althea Gibson (tennis player).