Laetitia

Definition

This is the Latin word for "joy, delight", used as a girl's name. It has been in use in England since the twelfth century, and was early on anglicised to Lettice. It is shortened to Lettie or Letty, and Laeta is an alternative form of the name. Another shortening, Tiesha, Teesha or Ticia is used as a name in its own right. Laetitia was influential in the explosion of names beginning La- among Black Americans since the 1970s, although names based on the French forms of "the", la and le, did already exist and the use of names beginning with La- goes back to the nineteenth century (see further at Lamar and Lavinia). Laetitia became the more phonetic Latisha (shortened to Tisha), and from this developed names such as Latasha (as if La + Natasha), LaToya (perhaps from Toya, a Mexican pet form of Victoria), an increase in the use of Larissa (see Lara) and even some boys" names such as LaDarius.

Sex

Girls

Similar names

LaDarius, Letitia, Latasha, Latisha, LaToya, Lettice, Lettie, Letty, Teesha, Ticia, Tiesha, Tisha

Naming Your Baby
Copyright © 2007 Julia Cresswell