Arletha is a unique and captivating feminine name of American origin. It is believed to have been created by combining the elements 'Arletta' and 'Elta', though its exact origins are unclear.
The name Arletha does not have an explicit meaning like many other names, as it was not derived from any particular language or culture. Instead, it is considered a modern invented name, with its significance largely attributed to personal interpretation.
Despite its lack of historical background, the name Arletha has made appearances in popular culture over time. For instance, it was used as the name of a character in the television series "As the World Turns" during the 1980s. However, this does not appear to have significantly influenced the popularity of the name.
Today, Arletha remains a rare and distinctive choice for a baby girl's name. Its unique sound and lack of established meaning allow parents to assign their own personal significance to the name when choosing it for their child.
Based on the provided statistics, we can observe the trends and patterns of the name Arletha in the United States from 1900 to 1993.
The name Arletha saw its first significant increase in popularity between 1912 and 1918, with a total of 14 births in 1912, peaking at 29 births in 1918. This period marked the beginning of a consistent rise in the number of girls named Arletha.
From 1918 to 1927, the popularity of the name continued to grow, with fluctuations ranging from 17 to 30 births per year. The highest point during this decade was reached in 1927, with 30 births. After that peak, the popularity of Arletha began a slow decline.
Throughout the 1930s and into the early 1940s, the number of girls named Arletha remained relatively stable, with an average of around 20 births per year. However, this period also saw some significant drops in popularity, such as the 11 births recorded in 1938.
The middle of the 20th century marked a resurgence in the popularity of Arletha. From 1946 to 1957, there was an increase in the number of girls named Arletha, with the highest point during this time being 36 births in 1958.
However, from 1958 onwards, the popularity of Arletha began a steady decline. Between 1960 and 1972, the average number of births per year was around 25 to 30, but this gradually decreased over time. By the late 1970s and early 1980s, the popularity of Arletha had fallen significantly, with only single-digit numbers of births recorded each year.
The period from 1984 to 1993 saw a further decline in the popularity of Arletha. The highest number of births during this time was just 9 in 1984, and it decreased to as low as 5 births in 1990.
In total, between 1900 and 1993, there were 1640 girls named Arletha born in the United States. While Arletha once enjoyed a significant level of popularity, particularly during the early to mid-20th century, its usage has decreased notably over time.