The name Letitia is of Latin origin and has a rich history behind it. It comes from the Latin word "laetita" which means happiness or joy. The name was introduced into English-speaking countries during the Middle Ages, when many European languages adopted Latin names for their own.
In its early use, Letitia was often used as a feminine form of the masculine name Laetitius. However, over time it has come to be considered a distinctively female name in its own right.
The name Letitia gained popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries among the English aristocracy. It was often given to daughters of wealthy families as a mark of status and refinement. Many notable figures throughout history have borne this name, including Letitia Christian Tyler, who served as First Lady of the United States during her husband John Tyler's presidency.
Today, Letitia remains a relatively rare but elegant name choice for girls. It has a classic, timeless sound that is often associated with sophistication and grace. Despite its Latin roots, the name has been widely adopted by various cultures around the world, making it truly international in scope.
Here are some interesting statistics about the name Letitia:
Over a span of nearly 130 years (from 1880 to 2021), there were a total of 11,401 babies named Letitia born in the United States. The name's popularity varied greatly over time.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Letitia was quite popular, with more than 50 births each year from 1893 to 1907. The highest point during this period was in 1914, with a notable 76 babies named Letitia.
However, the popularity of the name started to decline after World War I. From the 1920s onwards, there were fewer than 50 births per year for the majority of decades until the 1950s.
The name saw a resurgence in popularity during the late 1950s and early 1960s, with over 100 births each year from 1957 to 1964. The peak during this period was in 1960, when there were 201 babies named Letitia.
After the 1960s, the popularity of the name started to decline once again. From the 1970s until the early 2000s, there were fewer than 50 births per year for most years, with many years having less than 20 births.
In recent years, Letitia has become quite rare as a baby name in the United States. Between 2013 and 2021, there were fewer than 10 babies named Letitia each year, with some years having only one or two births. However, even with its decline in popularity, Letitia remains an uncommon but classic name with a rich history.