Lettie

The name Lettie is a diminutive form of the name Letitia, which is derived from the Latin word "laetitia," meaning joy or happiness. It is believed to have originated in the late Roman period, possibly as early as the 4th or 5th century AD.

Letitia was a relatively common name among Roman women, and it was later adopted by early Christians. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Letitia can be found in the writings of St. Augustine, who mentioned a woman by that name in his work "Confessions," written in the late 4th or early 5th century.

During the Middle Ages, the name Letitia was fairly popular in various parts of Europe, particularly in France and England. One notable bearer of the name was Letitia Elizabeth Landon (1802-1838), an English poet and novelist known for her works such as "The Improvisatrice" and "Romance and Reality."

In the 16th century, the name Lettie emerged as a diminutive form of Letitia. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Lettie can be found in the records of the parish of St. Giles in London, where a Lettie Smith was baptized in 1595.

Another notable bearer of the name Lettie was Lettie Lane Fox (1856-1923), an English artist and philanthropist who was a member of the Langhorne family. She was known for her work in promoting the education and welfare of children in the East End of London.

In the 19th century, the name Lettie gained popularity in the United States. One famous American bearer of the name was Lettie Gavin (1849-1924), a social reformer and activist who was instrumental in the establishment of the California State Board of Charities and Corrections.

Another notable American Lettie was Lettie Gay Carson (1870-1936), a pioneer in the field of physical education and the founder of the Department of Physical Education for Women at the University of California, Berkeley.

In the early 20th century, Lettie Covington Pate (1897-1994) was a notable American author and journalist who wrote several books on the American West and the Civil War.