Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Aleta
GirlSpanish, Greek· “uncertain; possibly from Alethea, truth”
- Meaning
- uncertain; possibly from Alethea, truth (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Spanish, Greek
- Pronunciation
- uh-LEE-tuh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #15,044
- US babies 2025
- 5
- Best rank
- #511 (1947)
- Peak year
- 1947
Meaning and origin of Aleta
Aleta is often said to mean “uncertain; possibly from Alethea, truth”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Spanish and Greek roots.
Aleta is a name with several possible sources. It may be a shortened form of Alethea, from the Greek alētheia, truth, or a variant of Alida or Adela. In Spanish, aleta is an ordinary word meaning fin or little wing, although the name is not always drawn from it. It is usually said uh-LEE-tuh, though uh-LEH-tuh is also heard. Leta and Lettie are possible nicknames. Readers of the comic strip Prince Valiant know Aleta as the hero's queen. Because the origin is uncertain, no single meaning should be claimed.
Popularity over time
Aleta first appears in US Social Security records in 1892. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 20 different years, starting in 1945. Its best national rank was #511 in 1947, the same year it reached its highest count of 262 babies. In 2025, 5 babies were named Aleta, and it ranked #15,044 nationally. That is 64% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,120 in 1920, #626 in 1950, #1,936 in 1980, #6,498 in 2000, #10,483 in 2010, and #15,044 in 2025. Of the 6,446 US girls named Aleta since records began, 23% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 1,163 babies. Since 2010, 174 more have been named Aleta.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Peggie, Laraine, Nan, Carlotta, and Carolann.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Aleta is usually pronounced uh-LEE-tuh, with three syllables. It has five letters, starts with A and ends in “-ta”.
Middle names for Aleta
A few middle names that flow with Aleta: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Aleta
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Lists that include Aleta
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Aleta mean?
Aleta is often said to mean “uncertain; possibly from Alethea, truth”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Spanish and Greek roots.
What is the origin of the name Aleta?
Aleta has Spanish and Greek roots. Aleta is a name with several possible sources.
Is Aleta a popular name?
Not especially. Aleta ranked #15,044 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Aleta a boy or girl name?
Aleta is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Aleta?
Aleta is usually pronounced uh-LEE-tuh. 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