In 1933, the rare baby name Aleeta saw an isolated spike in usage:
- 1935: unlisted
- 1934: unlisted
- 1933: 17 baby girls named Aleeta [peak]
- 1932: unlisted
- 1931: unlisted
What gave it a boost that year?
My guess is Princess Aleeta, a character featured in the comic strip Tim Tyler’s Luck in 1933 (from April to October).
In Aleeta’s storyline, which was set in Africa, titular character Tim Tyler (and his friend Spud) were forced to join the “jungle army” of sinister Emperor Karlos. Here’s how Spud described the army:
They raid and capture caravans, safaris an’ tradin’ posts and steal gold, guns, clothes an’ food!
Emperor Karlos had arranged for his daughter Aleeta to marry the villainous Captain Dumont, but the wedding ceremony was interrupted by the arrival of the French Foreign Legion. A battle ensued, after which Karlos’ army was defeated and Aleeta was free to marry the man she loved (Colonel Paul Stagg).
What are your thoughts on the name Aleeta?
P.S. A real-life Aleeta — Aleeta Fleming, a “young farm wife” from Ohio — was also in the papers in 1933, from August to November. Why? Because she and her husband had murdered two of their three children. It’s unlikely that Americans were naming their babies with Fleming in mind, but the news stories about her would have increased readers’ exposure to the name Aleeta nonetheless.
Sources:
- “Tim Tyler’s Luck.” Washington Times 29 Apr. 1933: 10.
- “Tim Tyler’s Luck.” Washington Times 12 May 1933: 22.
- “Tim Tyler’s Luck.” Washington Times 19 Jun. 1933: 18.
- “Tim Tyler’s Luck.” Washington Times 30 Aug. 1933: 12.
- “Tim Tyler’s Luck.” Washington Times 17 Oct. 1933: 12.
- Tim Tyler’s Luck – Wikipedia
- “Slaying 2 babies charged to parents.” Sunday Star [Washington, D.C.] 6 Aug. 1933: A-2.
- “Baby killers sentenced.” Carolina Watchman 10 Nov. 1933: 4.
- SSA
Image: Clipping from the Washington Times (23 May 1933)
[Latest update: Sept. 2025]