68%RatingSave Gender Feminine Usage English Pronounced Pron. /ə.ˈɹiː.θə/ [key·simplify] Meaning & History Possibly derived from Greek ἀρετή (arete) meaning "virtue". This name was popularized in the 1960s by American singer Aretha Franklin (1942-2018). Related Names Rootarete PopularityDetails Last ranked #854 in 1974 United States People think this name isRate·Details classic mature formal upper class natural wholesome strong refined strange serious Categories black history, Cat Power songs, currently out of the US top 1000, gospel musicians, history, pop music, pop singers, R'n'B singers, virtues, women's history