Alethea is an English language female first name derived from the ancient and modern Greek feminine noun
αλήθεια (pronounced "al-
ee-thia"), meaning "
truth". It is thus an equivalent of the name
Verity, from the Latin feminine noun
veritas, "truth". As an English first name it is frequently pronounced in modern times in an Anglicised form as "Ala-th
ee-a". The name dates from the 16th century, as given in 1585 to Alethea Talbot (1585–1654), the youngest daughter of
Gilbert Talbot, 7th Earl of Shrewsbury and later
Countess of Arundel following her marriage to
Thomas Howard, 21st Earl of Arundel. The name as used for the daughter of a wealthy nobleman in the
Renaissance era in England would certainly have been pronouced "Al-
ee-thia", that is as an Ancient Greek word, as the father would have received a thorough education in Ancient Greek and Latin and would thus be aware of the correct pronunciation. Women named Alethea include:
- Alethea Charlton (1931–1976), British actress
- Alethea Garstin (1894–1978), English painter and Royal Academician
- Alethea Hayter OBE (1911–2006), English author and British Council Representative
- Alethea Howard, Countess of Arundel (1585–1654), née Talbot, wife of Thomas Howard, 21st Earl of Arundel
- Alethea Kontis (born 1976), American author and editor living in Murfreesboro, Tennessee
- Alethea Lewis (1749–1827), English novelist, born at Acton, near Nantwich, Cheshire
- Alethea McGrath, Australian actress
