Eartha
Definition
Although this name is hardly known in this country other than from the singer Eartha Kitt, it is one of a group of names well established among the African-American population of the American South. Attempts have been made to link this name with an old Germanic earth goddess, but the name has a much more recent source. According to the 1953 edition of the journal Names, "if a mother has lost two children in childbirth or shortly thereafter, she can be assured of the survival of her third child, according to popular belief, only if the second dead baby lies buried face down in its grave and the new baby is named for Mother Earth". For boys, names such as Clay, Clayton, Ashley or Sandy would be chosen. For girls, the name would be taken from the word "earth", and included Eartha, Ertha and Erthel.
Sex
Girls
Similar names
Naming Your Baby
Copyright © 2007 Julia Cresswell
