Latha as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Latha

What is the meaning of the name Latha ?

The baby name Latha is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈlɑːt̪ʰə/ (LAH-thah).

Latha is Sanskrit in Origin.

From Sanskrit latā (लता), Latha is a feminine given name meaning “vine,” “creeper,” or “tender climber,” evoking grace, pliancy, and natural beauty. The image of the latā is a frequent metaphor in classical poetry and drama, where a slim, elegant woman is likened to a vine; this literary association helps explain the name’s enduring appeal across South Asia.

Used across India and Sri Lanka, its spelling varies by language: Lata is common in Hindi and Marathi, while Latha suits Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and Telugu conventions; Sinhalese also favors Latha. Diminutives and related forms include Latika (“little vine”), Lathika, and the transliterated Lataa/Lathaa to mark the long vowel. The name rose to 20th‑century prominence in modern India and the diaspora, buoyed by cultural figures and cinema, and remains familiar yet traditional. Cognate surnames or compound names (e.g., Lathadevi) appear regionally.