Fun Facts About the Name Eretria
- 157 babies named Eretria: U.S. records list 157 babies given the name Eretria from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Eretria Mean?
Eretria is the name of an ancient Greek city on the island of Euboea; the Greek form is Ἐρέτρια. The city name's etymology is uncertain. A widely repeated proposal connects it with Greek eretēs, "rower," and the verb eressō, "to row," suggesting a sense such as "place of rowers." That fits a maritime city, but it remains a proposed derivation rather than a firmly established one. In modern use Eretria is a feminine given name taken from the place name.
Eretria Name History & Origins
Eretria was one of the principal cities of Euboea in the Archaic and Classical Greek period. It was active in early Greek colonization, and Eretria and Chalcis were the two main Euboean cities whose sailors and settlers expanded trade and settlement across the Mediterranean. In 490 BCE, during the Persian Wars, the city was captured and burned by a Persian force under Datis and Artaphernes after Eretria had sent ships to support the Ionian Revolt. It was rebuilt and later belonged to the Delian League, though its political importance declined. In the fourth century BCE it was the home of Menedemus, founder of the Eretrian school of philosophy. The place name passed into English from Greek. As a personal name, Eretria is used in modern English, where it is usually understood as a feminine name derived from the ancient city. A notable literary use is the character Eretria in Terry Brooks's Shannara novels; this is a modern use of the name, not its origin.
How Popular is the Name Eretria?
Eretria has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2018. Its best rank was #5,361 in 2018.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #15,623 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2024 | #13,955 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 2023 | #9,811 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2022 | #7,073 | 16 | 0.0010% |
| 2021 | #5,452 | 23 | 0.0014% |
| 2020 | #6,418 | 18 | 0.0011% |
| 2019 | #6,806 | 17 | 0.0010% |
| 2018 | #5,361 | 24 | 0.0014% |
| 2017 | #5,903 | 21 | 0.0012% |
| 2016 | #7,007 | 17 | 0.0010% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Eretria Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are fine when in harmony but changeable when in discord, because many of your best qualities are then reversed. You are entertaining but may be impulsive. Freedom is a necessity, and you find it difficult to settle down. Your versatility results in many changes, and often brings travel. Your fine intellect is capable of high honors if applied seriously. You are capable of inspired thinking applied to material things. You can be restless, changeable, and very sexy. You have an eventful, exciting life. You are versatile and have the ability to learn easily.
Dependable, very down-to-earth and well grounded, you are always looking for meaningful work, a career where you can take pride in your work and do the best job you are capable of. Your prime desire is to build protected and secure environment at home and at work. You can be very persuasive in achieving goals and gaining objectives. You can be very detailed and well-organized and possess great organizational skills. At times you may appear too stubborn and overly critical to others, but your practical approach to life and productivity makes you one of the most beneficent members of community.
✦ Eretria's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Eretria's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.