Henretta is an unusual and distinctive given name of American origin. It is derived from the German surname "Henrich," which means "home ruler" or "powerful." The name was introduced to America by early German settlers, along with other similar names like Henry and Heinrich.
Henretta is not a particularly common name today, but it has been used throughout history. Some notable individuals named Henretta include Henretta Smith, an American suffragist and abolitionist who was born enslaved in the early 19th century, and Henretta Williams, a former member of the Louisiana State Legislature.
The name Henretta is often associated with strength and uniqueness due to its meaning and rarity. It has a vintage charm and is considered a classic choice for parents looking for an uncommon yet timeless name for their child.
The name Henretta experienced fluctuations in popularity over time, with a significant increase in usage beginning around the late 1800s and peaking between 1907 and 1916 with more than 20 births per year. After this period, the number of births decreased steadily until the mid-1950s when it started to rise again slightly, with a few years showing more than 10 births. However, overall, Henretta has not been a highly popular name throughout history, with many years recording fewer than 10 births and some even having none at all. In total, there were 1286 recorded births for the name Henretta over this period.