The baby name Coretta is a Female name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced koh-RET-uh (IPA: /koʊˈrɛtə/).
Coretta is Italian in Origin.
The baby name Coretta is a Female name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced koh-RET-uh (IPA: /koʊˈrɛtə/).
Coretta is Italian in Origin.
Coretta is an Italianate diminutive built on Cora, which itself derives from Greek Kore, an epithet of Persephone meaning "maiden" or "daughter." The -etta ending, common in Italian and French given names, adds a nuance of smallness or endearment, yielding the sense "little maiden." Related forms include Cora, Kora, Corinna/Corina, Corinne, and Korinna; nicknames often shorten to Cora, Etta, or Retta.
As a given name, Coretta appeared in English-speaking records in the early 20th century, when -etta names such as Loretta and Henrietta were in fashion, and found enduring recognition through civil rights leader Coretta Scott King. Her prominence in the 1950s-70s lifted the name in the United States, especially within African American communities. Today it is uncommon, chosen both for its graceful, vintage cadence and for the cultural weight of its namesake. Variant spellings occasionally seen include Coreta, though these are rare.
| Coretta Scott King Coretta Scott King was a prominent civil rights leader in the United States, best known for her role in advocating for racial equality alongside her husband, Martin Luther King Jr. She played a significant part in the Civil Rights Movement and worked tirelessly to preserve her husband's legacy after his assassination. Coretta also founded the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta. |
Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.
| Country | Gender | Year | Rank | Born | of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JM | 0 | #93 | 1 | 3,714 | |
| NA | Girls | 0 | #237 | 1 | 7,146 |
| JM | Girls | 0 | #249 | 11 | 7,507 |
| JM | Boys | 0 | #293 | 1 | 6,876 |
| GH | Girls | 0 | #335 | 3 | 6,973 |
| CN | Girls | 0 | #359 | 1 | 8,829 |
| ZA | 0 | #473 | 2 | 14,421 | |
| RU | Girls | 0 | #521 | 3 | 11,913 |
| CM | Girls | 0 | #526 | 15 | 11,671 |
| CR | Girls | 0 | #571 | 3 | 11,342 |
| AR | Girls | 0 | #630 | 1 | 8,289 |
| SG | Girls | 0 | #632 | 1 | 18,916 |
| NG | Girls | 0 | #825 | 2 | 15,093 |
| United States | Girls | 2024 | #912 | 5 | 8,487 |
| PE | Girls | 0 | #1,010 | 1 | 14,861 |
| ZA | Girls | 0 | #1,120 | 22 | 25,928 |
| MX | Girls | 0 | #1,267 | 1 | 17,781 |
| IT | Girls | 0 | #1,419 | 28 | 9,415 |
Coretta is popular in 15 countries — most recent births per country:
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