Althea is a unique and uncommon feminine given name of Greek origin. Its meaning is derived from the Greek word "althea," which refers to the healing plant known as marshmallow. This plant was highly regarded by ancient Greeks for its medicinal properties, particularly in treating sore throats.
The name Althea first appeared in literature during the Middle Ages, used by Geoffrey Chaucer in his Canterbury Tales. In one of the tales, a character named "Prioresse" is described as having hair like "flaxen thread," which was later misinterpreted as "Althe(a)" in some manuscripts.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Althea. One famous example is Althea Gibson, an American tennis player who won numerous grand slam titles during the 1950s and 1960s, becoming the first African-American to do so. Her achievements helped break racial barriers in sports.
Althea has also been used as a given name for characters in various forms of media. For instance, Althea is a major character in the video game "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild," and there is an "Althea" in the comic book series "Fables."
While not very common, the name Althea holds a certain uniqueness and elegance, with its roots deeply planted in Greek history and culture. It serves as a beautiful tribute to the healing power of nature and the resilience of those who bear this distinctive name.
The name Althea experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years. From just 9 births in 1880, it peaked at 336 births in 1920, before declining to as few as 50 births by 1982. Since then, it has maintained a steady but low level of popularity, with fewer than 175 births per year from 1982 onwards. The most recent data shows 163 births in 2023.