Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Agatha
GirlGreek· “good”
- Meaning
- good
- Origin
- Greek
- Pronunciation
- A-guh-thuh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #1,703
- US babies 2025
- 120
- Best rank
- #365 (1891)
- Peak year
- 1918
Meaning and origin of Agatha
Agatha is a Greek name that means “good”.
Agatha comes from the Greek agathos, "good." Saint Agatha of Sicily, a third-century martyr, spread the name across Europe, and it was used in medieval England. In modern times it is closely linked with Agatha Christie, the English crime writer, whose detective novels made the name widely known. It is said A-guh-thuh. The name fell out of fashion for much of the twentieth century and is now attracting new interest as a vintage choice, with Aggie as a nickname.
Popularity over time
Agatha has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 63 different years. Its best national rank was #365 in 1891, and the most babies received it in 1918, when 218 were named Agatha. In 2025, 120 babies were named Agatha, and it ranked #1,703 nationally. That is 38% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #473 in 1920, #1,135 in 1950, #3,069 in 1980, #4,294 in 2000, #3,307 in 2010, and #1,703 in 2025. Of the 9,491 US girls named Agatha since records began, 17% were born in the 1910s, its biggest decade. The 1920s come next, with 1,624 babies. Since 2010, 1,428 more have been named Agatha.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Gertie, Rowena, Maybelle, Floy, and Albina.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Agatha ranked highest in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Washington.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #396 | 14 |
| Pennsylvania | #1016 | 8 |
| Washington | #1053 | 5 |
| Florida | #1114 | 13 |
| New Jersey | #1172 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Agatha is usually pronounced A-guh-thuh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with A and ends in “-ha”.
Middle names for Agatha
A few middle names that flow with Agatha: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Agatha
Similar names
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tuh-REE-suh
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Lists that include Agatha
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Agatha mean?
Agatha is a Greek name that means “good”.
What is the origin of the name Agatha?
Agatha has Greek roots. Agatha comes from the Greek agathos, "good." Saint Agatha of Sicily, a third-century martyr, spread the name across Europe, and it was used in medieval England.
Is Agatha a popular name?
Not especially. Agatha ranked #1,703 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Agatha a boy or girl name?
Agatha is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Agatha?
Agatha is usually pronounced A-guh-thuh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings