- First names from A to Z
- ›
- Girl Names
- ›
- Alethea
Alethea
Fact sheet
- Name
- Alethea
- Gender
- Girl name
- Syllables
- 3
Alethea is a feminine name that is considered the English variant of the Greek name Aletheia (ἀλήθεια). It has its origins in ancient Greek and refers to the goddess of truth in Greek mythology.
What does the name Alethea mean?
The name Alethea has its roots in ancient Greek and means "the truth" or "truthfulness". It derives from the Greek term alēthḗs (ἀληθής), which is composed of the elements a- (ἀ-) meaning "not" and lḗthō (λήθω) meaning "I am hidden". The literal translation of alḗtheia is "the state of not being hidden", which also encompasses sincerity as well as factuality or reality. The prefix "a-" could phonetically be interpreted as "the one who speaks the truth". The name became particularly widespread in the English-speaking world during the 16th century. Variants of the name include Alithea, Alithia, Alathea, Alathia, Aleethia, Aletea, Aletha, Alethia, Aletia, Elethea, and Elithia. Derived forms with other origins include Aleta, Aletta, Alette, and Alita. The male counterpart is Aleth.
Where does the name Alethea come from?
The origin of the name Alethea lies in ancient Greek and means "the truth" or "truthfulness". The term alēthḗs (ἀληθής) is composed of the ancient Greek words a- (ἀ-) meaning "not" and lḗthō (λήθω) meaning "I am hidden". The language of the name is English.
How do you pronounce Alethea?
The pronunciation of Alethea is multisyllabic and flowing. In German, the name is usually pronounced as "A-le-the-a" [aleˈteːa], with several open vowels creating a gliding, almost floating sound movement. The even structure is gently concluded by the open "-a" at the end. Overall, Alethea conveys a light, wide, and harmonious impression with a fine, almost airy sound quality.
Popularity
In Germany, Alethea is a rare name. In 2015, it ranked 4,092nd on the list of the most common female first names. Alethea achieved its best ranking in 2013, reaching 3,816th place. In the last ten years, the name has been given less than 10 times, placing it 9,317th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, Alethea ranks 9,043rd.
Nicknames & pet names
Alea / Alete / Thea / Theia
Famous people
- Alethea Charlton (English actress)
- Alethea Hayter (English writer)
- Alethea Kontis (American author)
- Alethea Leventhal (musician (Ships in the Night))
- Alethea McGrath (Australian actress)
Frequently asked questions about the name Alethea
What does the name Alethea mean?
The name Alethea comes from ancient Greek and means "the truth" or "truthfulness". It is closely related to the Greek term alēthḗs, which encompasses sincerity and reality.
What gender is the name Alethea suitable for?
Alethea is a traditional girl's name that is especially common in English-speaking regions.
What nicknames can be used for Alethea?
Common nicknames for Alethea include Alea, Alete, Thea, and Theia. These pet names offer a lovely, shortened form of the name.
How is Alethea pronounced?
Alethea is typically pronounced as 'A-leh-thee-ah'. The emphasis is on the second syllable.