The name Lettie is a diminutive form of the given name Letitia, which has Latin origins and means "happiness." The name Letitia was originally derived from the Latin word "laetitia," which translates to happiness or joy.
Letitia was first used as a given name in England during the 17th century. It gained popularity over time and became more widely used throughout Europe. The name Lettie, being a shortened form of Letitia, followed suit and also grew in usage as a given name for girls.
There are no notable historical figures with the name Lettie; however, the name has been featured in various works of literature and popular culture. For example, Lettie is one of the main characters in "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak, set during World War II Germany.
In terms of its usage as a given name, Lettie is not particularly common today. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, Lettie has never been among the top 1000 most popular girl names since record-keeping began in 1957. Despite this, it remains a unique and charming option for parents looking for an uncommon yet meaningful name for their daughter.
In summary, the name Lettie is a shortened form of Letitia, which means happiness in Latin. It has been used as a given name for girls since the 17th century but is not particularly common today. The name's origin and meaning make it an appealing choice for parents seeking a unique yet significant name for their daughter.
Based on the statistical data provided for the name Lettie in the United States from 1880 to 2023, we can observe several trends and patterns over time.
The highest number of births with the name Lettie occurred in 2023, with a total of 215 newborns. This represents a significant increase compared to previous years, indicating that the name has gained popularity recently.
Between 1880 and 1924, there was a steady growth in the number of births with the name Lettie, reaching a peak of 201 births in 1924. However, after this period, there was a decline in its usage until around the 1950s.
From the 1950s onwards, the popularity of the name Lettie fluctuated but generally remained relatively low, with fewer than 70 births per year on average. There were periods where the number of births decreased significantly, such as between 1963 and 1982, during which there were less than 50 births per year.
However, since around the mid-1980s, there has been a noticeable increase in the usage of the name Lettie. Although it still remains relatively uncommon compared to peak periods in the early 20th century, its popularity has gradually increased over time.
In recent years, particularly between 2014 and 2023, there has been a significant resurgence in the number of births with the name Lettie, with totals ranging from 69 to 215 births per year. This trend suggests that the name Lettie may be experiencing renewed popularity among parents in the United States.
In conclusion, while the usage of the name Lettie has fluctuated throughout history, it appears that it is currently enjoying a period of increased popularity compared to previous decades. Despite its variable popularity over time, the name Lettie has been given to a total of 10,456 newborns in the United States between 1880 and 2023.