Retha
Every Retha since 1884 — 10,597 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Retha
Retha 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 1884, 10,597 American babies have been named Retha. Its peak came in 1924, when 252 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 Retha stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Retha 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 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | 5 | #18,635 |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | 5 | #17,352 |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | 5 | #15,192 |
| 1990 | 11 | #7,735 |
| 1985 | 17 | #4,600 |
| 1980 | 23 | #3,580 |
| 1975 | 25 | #2,939 |
| 1970 | 48 | #1,853 |
| 1965 | 79 | #1,217 |
| 1960 | 132 | #930 |
| 1955 | 167 | #736 |
| 1950 | 189 | #610 |
| 1945 | 167 | #570 |
| 1940 | 196 | #492 |
| 1935 | 195 | #456 |
| 1930 | 173 | #511 |
| 1925 | 209 | #483 |
| 1920 | 187 | #510 |
| 1915 | 155 | #496 |
| 1910 | 72 | #479 |
| 1905 | 31 | #638 |
| 1900 | 23 | #774 |
| 1895 | 17 | #786 |
| 1890 | 10 | #928 |
| 1885 | 5 | #1,170 |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Retha in 2025?
Retha 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 Retha?
10,597 babies have been named Retha in the United States since 1884, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Retha most popular?
Retha peaked in 1924, when 252 newborns received the name.
Is Retha a boy or girl name?
Retha is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Retha rising or falling?
Retha is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.