Hertha is a female given name of German origin. The name derives from the Old High German words "heri" meaning army or warrior and "thiu" which means people or force. Thus, Hertha's meaning can be interpreted as "army of the people" or "warrior among the people." This strong and powerful connotation reflects the historical significance of this name in German culture.
The name Hertha has a long history in Germany, dating back to the Middle Ages. It was particularly popular during the Renaissance period and continued to be used throughout the following centuries. In fact, there were several notable figures named Hertha in various fields such as literature, science, and politics. For example, Hertha Ayrton (1864-1923) was a British engineer and inventor who made significant contributions to electrical engineering.
Despite its German roots, Hertha has also been used in other countries around the world. For instance, it gained popularity in Sweden during the late 19th century due to influences from German culture at that time. Today, while not as commonly used as some other names, Hertha remains a distinctive and meaningful choice for parents looking for a unique name with deep historical roots.
In conclusion, Hertha is an ancient Germanic female given name with a strong meaning related to power and warrior spirit. Its rich history and diverse usage across cultures make it an interesting choice for those seeking a name with deep roots and significance.
Based on the provided statistics, we can observe trends and patterns regarding the number of births with the name Hertha in the United States between 1886 and 1965.
The earliest available data shows that there were 8 babies named Hertha born in the United States in 1886. The following year saw a slight increase, with 12 newborn girls receiving this name. This upward trend continued through 1890, reaching its first peak at 17 births in 1892.
After 1892, the number of babies named Hertha began to fluctuate more significantly. Between 1893 and 1896, there were between 11 and 25 births each year. The late 1890s and early 1900s saw a decline in popularity, with fewer than 34 births per year from 1897 to 1906.
However, the number of newborn girls named Hertha started to rise again around the start of World War I. Between 1912 and 1916, there were between 34 and 65 births each year. The peak for this period was reached in 1916 with 65 births.
Post-war, the popularity of the name Hertha began to wane once more. From 1917 to 1922, the number of annual births fell from 56 to 26. Despite a brief resurgence between 1923 and 1928 (with 23 to 34 births per year), the trend continued downward overall.
By the late 1920s and early 1930s, fewer than 20 babies named Hertha were born each year. This decline persisted until the mid-1930s, when the number of annual births fell to single digits (7 or fewer) between 1935 and 1946.
Remarkably, there were no recorded births with the name Hertha in the United States from 1947 to 1952. After a brief resurgence in the mid-1950s and early 1960s (with 5 to 7 births each year), the name Hertha appears to have fallen out of favor entirely, as there were no reported births with this name between 1963 and 1965.
In total, over the course of these nearly eight decades, there were 1,453 babies named Hertha born in the United States. Although the popularity of the name has ebbed and flowed over time, it has maintained a consistent presence in American naming culture throughout much of this period.