Carletha

“Free man”

American origin · Girl name

♂ 3% boys♀ 97% girls

#1401US 2023

799Births / yr

→Stable

488All-time births

📅 Since 192800

How to pronounce Carletha

KAH·RLETH·AH

/ˈkɑ.ˈrlɛth.ˈɑ/ · stress on KAH · 3 syllables

“Free man”

American origin · Girl name

What does Carletha mean and where does it come from?

Carletha is a modern feminine variant of the name Charles, which has Germanic roots translating to 'free man'. It is relatively rare and is thought to be influenced by variations like Carla and Letha. The name reflects themes of freedom and independence, appealing to many parents seeking strong, mod

Cultural significance

Carletha has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in American-speaking communities, where it reflects values of free man.

Peak popularity

Reached #2754 in 1954 — currently #1401 in the US.

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What middle names flow best with Carletha?

Carletha works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Carletha Grace

How popular is Carletha right now?

Holding steady — currently #1401 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1940–2023#1401 · Top 1.0%

1940

1950

1955

1960

1965

1970

1975

1980

1985

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#1401	799	▲ up 5 · +3% births
2022	#1406	779	▲ up 5 · +4% births
2021	#1411	749	▲ up 4718 · +6709% births
1985	#6129	11	▲ up 802 · +22% births
1980	#6931	9	▼ down 1270 · -10% births
1975	#5661	10	▼ down 1730 · -33% births
1970	#3931	15	▲ up 689 · +67% births
1965	#4620	9	▼ down 296 · -10% births
1960	#4324	10	▼ down 815 · -17% births
1955	#3509	12	▲ up 343 · +33% births
1950	#3852	9	▼ down 59 · +29% births
1940	#3793	7	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Carletha

Best Year2023Rank #1401

Peak Count799

Average Rank#3914

Current Trend↗Rising

Data Range1940 - 202312 years

The story of Carletha

Carletha entered American naming records in 1928 and has been in use for over 96 years. With 488 total births recorded, Carletha remains relatively uncommon. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #3793 in 1940 to #1401 in 2023.

Names that peaked alongside Carletha in 1954:

Mary Linda Deborah Patricia Susan

Carletha by decade

Carletha peaked in the 1950s. See all 1950s names →

Decade	Births
1920s	5
1940s	26
1950s	115
1960s ★	130
1970s	118
1980s	75
1990s	19

💎Carletha has only 488 total recorded births since 1928 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Carletha?

Common

CarCaEtha

What names sound and feel like Carletha?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Carletha also consider these

Caretha

American · Beloved

Carlitha

American · free woman

Carlesha

American · Free man

Caletha

American · Combination of cal/good

Marletha

American · Derived from Martha,

Darletha

American · Darling; dear one

Charletha

American · A beloved name

Arletha

American · English

Common questions about the name Carletha

What does the name Carletha mean?

Carletha means "Free man" — a name rooted in American tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Carletha?

Carletha is currently a distinctive and less common name as a girl name in the US and is holding steady in popularity, a reliable classic that parents consistently choose.

What is the cultural origin of Carletha?

Carletha originates from American tradition. American names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Carletha?

Carletha is a three-syllable name pronounced K AA1 R L EH1 T HH AA1. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

What sibling names go well with Carletha?

Carletha pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar American heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.