Gretchen Boy
Origin(s)
PronunciationGREH-chen / ˈɡrɛtʃənGerman
Meaning
little pearl
Historical & Cultural Background
Gretchen is a diminutive form of the name Margarete, which has roots in the Greek word 'margaritēs,' meaning pearl. It is traditionally a feminine name in German-speaking countries. The name gained popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly due to its use in literature and opera, such as Goethe's 'Faust.' Although primarily used for girls, it has occasionally been adopted for boys in modern contexts.
Trend Summary
Gretchen has seen fluctuating popularity in the U.S., with a notable decline in recent decades.
Similar Names
Variants
- Gretel
International Variants
- Greta (Swedish)
- Gretchen (German)
Famous people named Gretchen
—
Fictional characters named Gretchen
—
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Gretchen was first seen in the United States in 1957. Gretchen has ranked as high as #1069 nationally, which occurred in 1975, and has been most popular in . In the past 5 years the name Gretchen has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Gretchen
No state data available for this year.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1957 | 5 |
| 1959 | 5 |
| 1970 | 5 |
| 1974 | 8 |
| 1975 | 9 |
| 1980 | 6 |