Retha: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Girls	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	30	3	–	#842
1890s	178	18	+493%	#524
1900s	446	45	+151%	#431
1910s	1,372	137	+208%	#455
1920s	2,078	208	+51%	#440
1930s	1,868	187	-10%	#441
1940s	1,702	170	-9%	#492
1950s	1,595	160	-6%	#610
1960s	872	87	-45%	#930
1970s	257	26	-71%	#1,853
1980s	143	14	-44%	#3,580
1990s	46	5	-68%	#7,735
2000s	5	1	-89%	#17,352
2010s	5	1	0%	#18,635
2020s (to 2025)	–	–	–	–

Decade

Girls

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

#842

1890s

178

+493%

#524

1900s

446

+151%

#431

1910s

1,372

137

+208%

#455

1920s

2,078

208

+51%

#440

1930s

1,868

187

-10%

#441

1940s

1,702

170

-9%

#492

1950s

1,595

160

-6%

#610

1960s

872

-45%

#930

1970s

257

-71%

#1,853

1980s

143

-44%

#3,580

1990s

-68%

#7,735

2000s

-89%

#17,352

2010s

#18,635

2020s (to 2025)

–

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.

How old are people named Retha?

The median living Retha is about 72 years old; half are between 64 and 81. An estimated 4,200 people named Retha are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

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

Quick answers about Retha, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Retha?

The median living Retha is about 72 years old. Half of all living Rethas are between 64 and 81 years old.

How many people named Retha are alive today?

An estimated 4,200 people named Retha are alive in the United States, based on 10,597 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

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.

Retha

Retha popularity over time

The story of Retha

How old are people named Retha?

Retha year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Retha