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Althea Girl

Popularity: #790 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

Pronunciational-THEE-uh / ælˈθiːə

Greek; Latin

Meaning

Greek: 'healer'; Latin: 'noble'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Althea has its roots in ancient Greek, derived from the word "althos," which means "healing" or "to heal." This etymological origin reflects a connection to health and wellness, which has been a significant aspect of the name's interpretation throughout history. The name entered the English language through Latin, where it was adopted as "Althea" in the context of classical literature and mythology, particularly associated with the healing properties of certain plants and herbs in ancient texts.

Historically, Althea is linked to figures in Greek mythology, notably Althea, the mother of Meleager, who is a central character in various myths. Her story, which involves themes of fate and maternal sacrifice, has been recounted in various literary works over the centuries. The name also appears in the writings of the Roman poet Ovid, who lived during the first century CE, further cementing its place in classical literature. Additionally, the name has been referenced in various translations of classical texts, contributing to its endurance in Western culture.

Culturally, Althea has been associated with healing and nurturing qualities, resonating with the ideals of motherhood and care. This symbolic significance has allowed the name to maintain a presence in various literary and artistic expressions. In the realm of diminutives, "Thea" is often used as a shorter form, which also carries connotations of divinity, as it is derived from the Greek word for "goddess." The enduring appeal of Althea can be attributed to its rich historical background and the positive attributes associated with its meaning.

Trend Summary

Althea has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, particularly among parents seeking vintage names.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Altheya
  • Althee

International Variants

  • Altea (Spanish)
  • Althea (English)

Famous people named Althea

Althea Gibson was a tennis player and professional golfer best known for winning Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.

Fictional characters named Althea

Althea is a fictional character from the novel series The Realm of the Elderlings by Robin Hobb. She is a skilled and determined character who plays a significant role in the lives of the protagonists, particularly in the Liveship Traders trilogy.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Althea was first seen in the United States in 1880. Althea has ranked as high as #744 nationally, which occurred in 1956, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, California, and Illinois. In the past 5 years the name Althea has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Althea (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 18
20%
NY 10
11%
CO 9
10%
OH 8
9%
FL 8
9%
NC 7
8%
PA 7
8%
WI 7
8%
ME 7
8%
WA 6
7%
MO 5
5%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
18809
18818
188211
188313
188413
188514
188619
188718
188821
188930
189019
189139
189229
189323
189442
189532
189636
189729
189833
189941
190035
190137
190241
190349
190446
190546
190653
190748
190866
190975
191091
191177
1912131
1913141
1914199
1915266
1916265
1917265
1918318
1919261
1920336
1921311
1922274
1923254
1924275
1925258
1926226
1927263
1928196
1929198
1930175
1931160
1932164
1933163
1934165
1935141
1936124
1937148
1938119
1939113
1940101
1941118
1942116
1943115
1944111
1945110
1946125
1947118
1948126
1949235
1950309
1951333
1952328
1953254
1954308
1955247
1956389
1957352
1958278
1959217
1960216
1961187
1962161
1963133
1964149
1965213
1966164
1967211
1968202
1969155
1970150
1971139
1972142
197395
1974106
197576
197683
197777
197864
197970
198069
198188
198250
198349
198470
198544
198650
198747
198855
198970
199055
199150
199240
199351
199439
199540
199647
199751
199858
199961
200068
200153
200255
200369
200466
200568
200657
200757
200859
200975
201081
201172
201273
2013101
201492
2015130
2016128
2017154
2018162
2019167
2020156
2021145
2022175
2023165
2024160