Aretha
Every Aretha since 1900 — 5,656 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Aretha
Aretha is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1900, 5,656 American babies have been named Aretha. Its peak came in 1968, when 543 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1960s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Aretha stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Aretha year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | 6 | #13,625 |
| 2022 | 6 | #13,770 |
| 2021 | 6 | #13,650 |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | 5 | #15,947 |
| 2017 | 5 | #16,148 |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | 6 | #14,805 |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | 5 | #17,050 |
| 2010 | 7 | #13,622 |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | 7 | #14,003 |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | 5 | #17,448 |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | 7 | #12,335 |
| 2001 | 6 | #13,684 |
| 2000 | 5 | #15,262 |
| 1995 | 9 | #8,829 |
| 1990 | 25 | #4,011 |
| 1985 | 26 | #3,331 |
| 1980 | 55 | #1,937 |
| 1975 | 117 | #1,026 |
| 1970 | 257 | #639 |
| 1965 | 148 | #818 |
| 1960 | 59 | #1,431 |
| 1955 | 30 | #1,940 |
| 1950 | 36 | #1,550 |
| 1945 | 34 | #1,377 |
| 1940 | 28 | #1,444 |
| 1935 | 36 | #1,183 |
| 1930 | 37 | #1,234 |
| 1925 | 46 | #1,137 |
| 1920 | 31 | #1,442 |
| 1915 | 30 | #1,287 |
| 1910 | 10 | #1,526 |
| 1905 | 6 | #1,711 |
| 1900 | 5 | #1,947 |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Aretha
- Aretha Franklin Singer · 1942–2018
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Aretha in 2025?
Aretha did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Aretha?
5,656 babies have been named Aretha in the United States since 1900, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Aretha most popular?
Aretha peaked in 1968, when 543 newborns received the name.
Is Aretha a boy or girl name?
Aretha is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Aretha rising or falling?
Aretha has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Aretha?
Well-known people named Aretha include Aretha Franklin (singer).