The nameAlthea
Althea is a Greek name meaning "healing". It has a soft, poetic sound.
- Girl's name
- Greek
Meaning
Althea comes from the Greek althainein, "to heal". It is also the marshmallow plant.
Origin
Greek.
History
Richard Lovelace's poem To Althea, from Prison made it known in English. In the United States it reached 356th in 1920. Althea Gibson was the first Black player to win Wimbledon.
Famous people named Althea
- Althea Gibson, tennis player
Popularity of the name Althea
Althea in the United States
Althea was most popular in the United States in the 1950s, with 3,015 births over the decade, 17% of all recorded babies named Althea. Its rise began around 1891, and it peaked in 1956. Half of all babies named Althea in the United States were born before 1951, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 160 births a year.
Althea in France
Althea was most popular in France in the 2000s, with 150 births over the decade, 30% of all recorded babies named Althea. Its rise began around 1989, and it peaked in 2025. Half of all babies named Althea in France were born before 2009, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 24 births a year on average, against 11 in the five years before.
Sibling names for Althea
Names from the same generation as Althea, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Althea? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Althea with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Althea side by side with the name of your choice.
Althea in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Althea mean?
Althea comes from the Greek althainein, "to heal". It is also the marshmallow plant.
What is the origin of the name Althea?
Greek.
Is Althea a girl's or a boy's name?
Althea is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Althea?
In 2024, Althea was the 1397th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 160 births.
What are good sibling names for Althea?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Margaux, Agnes, Ines and Naia for a sister, Yuri, Lois, Wolfgang and Alistair for a brother.
Who are famous people named Althea?
Althea Gibson, tennis player.