Oretha is an uncommon yet distinctive given name of American origin, derived from the Greek word 'orea', meaning 'mountain'. It was likely bestowed as a virtue name, reflecting qualities such as high-mindedness and steadfastness. Despite its rarity today, Oretha has been recorded in various U.S. censuses throughout the 20th century, suggesting it was used sporadically over time rather than belonging to a specific era or region. Notable bearers of this name include Oretha Castle-Hayes, an American civil rights activist and educator who fought for voting rights during the Civil Rights Movement.
The name Oretha experienced a notable rise in popularity between 1910 and 1920, with the highest number of births occurring in 1920 (38 births). However, after this peak, its prevalence began to decline significantly. By 1966, there were only five births recorded for the name Oretha. This downward trend continued until the late 1970s and early 1980s, with fewer than ten births per year occurring from 1963 onwards.