Aretha

Aretha comes from the Greek Areté (ἀρετή) which is often loosely translated to “virtue”, but the concept is slightly more complex than that. It has more to do with excellence in every possible way, or living up to one’s maximum potential. The “title” of Areté was given to both men and women interchangeably in Homeric Greek times (circa 8th century B.C.); the term was used to denote a sense of value, achievement, bravery and effectiveness. In other words, the term would describe a person who uses his/her knowledge, abilities and talents to their maximum effect in order to achieve maximum results – true and pure excellence. The concept of “arête” shares the same root as the term “aristocracy” from the Greek “aristos” meaning "best, superior" – a class of educated people who have developed highly theoretical concepts of justice, balance and self-control. In Homer’s “Odyssey” (written about 2,800 years ago), Arete is the name of the wife of King Alcinous of Scheria, the last place Odysseus stops during his 10 year odyssey before returning to Ithaca. Homer describes her as being honored by her husband “as no other woman on earth is honored…and by the people, who look upon her as upon a goddess…” (Odyssey VII). Suffice it to say, Areté is a notion having to do with excellence in every way (mind, body and spirit). Concepts don’t get much loftier than this. The more modern female given name of Aretha is most associated with the “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin (1942-present).