Aretha as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Aretha

What is the meaning of the name Aretha ?

The baby name Aretha is a girl name 3 syllables long and is pronounced uh-REE-thuh.

Aretha is Greek in Origin.

Aretha is a name of Greek origin, meaning "excellence" or "virtue". It is a feminine name and is pronounced uh-REE-thuh. The name has been in use since the 19th century, but gained popularity in the United States in the mid-20th century, thanks to the legendary soul singer Aretha Franklin.

Aretha Franklin was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1942 and began her career as a gospel singer. She went on to become one of the most successful and influential musicians of all time, earning the title "Queen of Soul". Franklin's powerful voice and socially conscious lyrics made her an icon of the civil rights movement and a symbol of female empowerment. Her impact on music and culture has been immeasurable, and her name has become synonymous with excellence and greatness.

The name Aretha is composed of two Greek words: "arete", meaning "excellence" or "virtue", and "theos", meaning "god". Together, the name can be interpreted as "excellence of god" or "virtue of god". This meaning is fitting for the name's most famous bearer, who embodied both excellence and spirituality in her music and her life. Today, the name Aretha continues to be used in honor of Franklin and as a tribute to her legacy of greatness.