Leta Girl

Popularity: #938 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: LEE-tah /ˈliːtə/

Origin: Latin; Slavic

Meaning: Latin: joyful; Slavic: light

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Leta has its roots in the Latin word "leta," which translates to "joyful" or "happy." This Latin term is derived from the verb "laetare," meaning "to rejoice." The transition of the name into English likely occurred through the influence of Latin on early medieval languages, particularly during the period of the Roman Empire and the subsequent spread of Christianity, which often incorporated Latin terms into vernacular usage. The name may also have connections to the Greek word "lethe," referring to forgetfulness or oblivion, which adds a layer of complexity to its interpretation.

Historically, the name Leta has been associated with various cultural and literary figures. One notable reference is in the context of classical mythology, where Leta is often linked to Leda, a character in Greek mythology who was the mother of Helen of Troy.

This connection to mythological narratives has contributed to the name's resonance in literature and art throughout the centuries. Additionally, the name appears in various forms in different cultures, reflecting its adaptability and enduring appeal.

In terms of cultural significance, the name Leta embodies themes of joy and happiness, which have been celebrated in various traditions. The name's association with positive emotions has allowed it to maintain a presence in literature and art, often symbolizing hope and light.

While diminutive forms such as Letty may arise informally, the name's historical roots and connections to joy remain its most defining characteristics. Overall, Leta's etymological background and historical associations highlight its rich linguistic heritage and cultural depth.

Famous people named Leta

In this section, you will find notable people named Leta. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Leta who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Leta who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Leta Powell Drake is a television personality best known for her work on local news in Michigan and her role as a children's television host.

Leta H. McKinney is a scientist best known for her research in the field of biochemistry and molecular biology.

Fictional characters named Leta

The following list of fictional characters named Leta is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Leta Lestrange is a fictional character from the film series Fantastic Beasts. She is a complex character with a significant connection to the protagonist, Newt Scamander, and plays a crucial role in the events of the story.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Leta, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

LilaLeahLanaLaraLunaLydia

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Leta. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

LenaLinaLilaLitaLaraLydiaLeila

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Leta was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Leta has ranked as high as #816 nationally, which occurred in 1918, and has been most popular in Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, and California.

In the past 5 years the name Leta has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Leta is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Leta was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Leta.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 10 10
2024 11 11
2023 13 13
2022 8 8
2021 10 10
2020 27 27
2019 14 14
2018 13 13
2017 14 14
2016 15 15
2015 9 9
2014 22 22
2013 8 8
2011 13 13
2010 11 11
2009 6 6
2008 11 11
2007 12 12
2006 11 11
2005 16 16
2004 20 20
2003 7 7
2002 15 15
2001 14 14
2000 12 12
1999 15 15
1998 14 14
1997 12 12
1996 16 16
1995 11 11
1994 17 17
1993 14 14
1992 10 10
1991 24 24
1990 23 23
1989 27 27
1988 21 21
1987 24 24
1986 17 17
1985 16 16
1984 30 30
1983 25 25
1982 35 35
1981 29 29
1980 41 41
1979 47 47
1978 33 33
1977 47 47
1976 38 38
1975 35 35
1974 35 35
1973 49 49
1972 42 42
1971 50 50
1970 50 50
1969 63 63
1968 65 65
1967 65 65
1966 64 64
1965 65 65
1964 87 87
1963 90 90
1962 100 100
1961 129 129
1960 136 136
1959 112 112
1958 119 119
1957 136 136
1956 136 136
1955 142 142
1954 183 183
1953 170 170
1952 162 162
1951 142 142
1950 137 137
1949 170 170
1948 132 132
1947 153 153
1946 120 120
1945 104 104
1944 135 135
1943 133 133
1942 112 112
1941 139 139
1940 134 134
1939 142 142
1938 146 146
1937 125 125
1936 154 154
1935 150 150
1934 169 169
1933 167 167
1932 159 159
1931 162 162
1930 213 213
1929 191 191
1928 214 214
1927 229 229
1926 225 225
1925 195 195
1924 183 183
1923 204 204
1922 200 200
1921 206 206
1920 225 225
1919 183 183
1918 233 233
1917 196 196
1916 219 219
1915 224 224
1914 153 153
1913 130 130
1912 130 130
1911 98 98
1910 97 97
1909 96 96
1908 83 83
1907 87 87
1906 81 81
1905 98 98
1904 86 86
1903 83 83
1902 82 82
1901 74 74
1900 93 93
1899 60 60
1898 95 95
1897 78 78
1896 76 76
1895 73 73
1894 65 65
1893 55 55
1892 56 56
1891 45 45
1890 63 63
1889 59 59
1888 41 41
1887 32 32
1886 24 24
1885 32 32
1884 22 22
1883 25 25
1882 15 15
1881 21 21
1880 18 18

Top States for Leta (1980)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
NY 5
100%