Coretta is a unique and beautiful female given name of American origin. It was popularized by the civil rights activist and widow of Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta Scott King. However, its origins and meaning are not directly linked to her, as she herself did not know the exact etymology of her name.
The name Coretta is believed to have been derived from an Italian surname, Coretti, which means "little hearts" or "heart-shaped." This interpretation is based on the Italian word "cuore," meaning heart. However, there are no definitive records to confirm this origin, and it remains a theory.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding its origins, the name Coretta has gained popularity over time, likely due to the influence of Coretta Scott King's activism and humanitarian work. She was an accomplished musician and singer who used her talents to support the civil rights movement alongside her husband. After his assassination in 1968, she continued to advocate for racial justice and equality.
The name Coretta is often associated with strength, grace, and determination, reflecting the character of its most famous bearer. It has been given to fewer than five girls per year in the United States since 1950, making it a rare and distinctive choice for parents looking for an unusual yet meaningful name for their daughter.
In summary, Coretta is a beautiful and unique female given name with uncertain origins but a powerful meaning related to the heart. Popularized by civil rights activist Coretta Scott King, this name carries associations of strength, grace, and determination. Despite its rarity, Coretta remains an appealing choice for parents seeking a distinctive name for their daughter.
Coretta has been a relatively uncommon name in the United States, with fluctuations in its popularity over the years. The first recorded birth of a girl named Coretta occurred in 1909, followed by five births in 1910. However, it wasn't until 1937 that there were more than ten births with this name in a single year.
The most notable increase in popularity for the name Coretta came between 1956 and 1968. In those twelve years alone, over 2,000 babies were named Coretta, with a peak of 336 births recorded in 1968. This surge in popularity may be attributed to various factors such as cultural trends or the influence of notable figures with this name.
After reaching its peak in 1968, the popularity of the name Coretta began to decline steadily. By the 1970s, there were fewer than 100 births per year on average, and this trend continued throughout most of the following decades. The lowest point was reached in the mid-2000s when less than five girls named Coretta were born annually.
Despite its decline in popularity, the name Coretta has maintained some level of presence in recent years. Between 2015 and 2022, there have been between seven to eighteen births per year with this name. In total, since 1909 until now, over 2,400 babies named Coretta have been born in the United States.