Gretta Girl

Popularity: #925 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: GREH-tah /ˈɡrɛtə/

Origin: German; Latin

Meaning: German: pearl; Latin: great

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Gretta is derived from the Germanic name Margarete, which itself originates from the Greek name Margaritēs (Μαργαρητης), meaning 'pearl.' The Greek term is rooted in the word margaron (μαργαρόν), which also translates to 'pearl.' This name was adopted into Latin as Margarita, which was then translated into various forms in different languages, including the Old French form Marguerite. The transition into English occurred during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, when many Norman names entered the English lexicon, leading to the emergence of Gretta as a diminutive or variant form of Margaret in English-speaking contexts.

Throughout history, the name has been associated with several notable figures. One of the most significant is Saint Margaret of Scotland, who lived in the 11th century and was canonized for her piety and charitable works.

Her influence helped to popularize the name in medieval Europe, particularly in England and Scotland. Additionally, the name appears in various literary works, including Shakespeare's plays, where characters named Margaret often embody themes of virtue and resilience.

The name's association with pearls, symbols of purity and beauty, further enhances its cultural resonance. Gretta, as a diminutive form, has also been linked to the idea of a beloved or cherished individual, reflecting the affectionate nature of diminutive names in many cultures.

The name's historical and cultural significance is underscored by its enduring presence in literature and religious contexts, where it has been used to convey ideals of grace and nobility. This rich tapestry of linguistic roots and cultural associations contributes to the lasting appeal of the name Gretta.

Fictional characters named Gretta

The following list of fictional characters named Gretta is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Gretta is a fictional character from the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. She is a significant figure in the story, representing the unattainable ideal and the complexities of love and desire.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Gretta, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

ClaraLenaMilaSophieAnnaNora

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Gretta. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

GretchenGreerGretlGreysenGretaGwenGinaGemma

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Gretta was first seen in the United States in 1881.

Gretta has ranked as high as #1731 nationally, which occurred in 1966, and has been most popular in Minnesota, Texas, Pennsylvania, California, and Wisconsin.

In the past 5 years the name Gretta has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Gretta is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Gretta was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Gretta.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 23 23
2024 32 32
2023 31 31
2022 40 40
2021 30 30
2020 32 32
2019 52 52
2018 47 47
2017 50 50
2016 64 64
2015 51 51
2014 46 46
2013 63 63
2012 58 58
2011 42 42
2010 70 70
2009 46 46
2008 38 38
2007 49 49
2006 35 35
2005 57 57
2004 45 45
2003 39 39
2002 29 29
2001 44 44
2000 41 41
1999 38 38
1998 23 23
1997 26 26
1996 25 25
1995 26 26
1994 26 26
1993 19 19
1992 23 23
1991 12 12
1990 16 16
1989 17 17
1988 15 15
1987 8 8
1986 16 16
1985 13 13
1984 15 15
1983 21 21
1982 28 28
1981 31 31
1980 29 29
1979 19 19
1978 21 21
1977 28 28
1976 23 23
1975 34 34
1974 40 40
1973 29 29
1972 41 41
1971 55 55
1970 47 47
1969 49 49
1968 68 68
1967 77 77
1966 100 100
1965 27 27
1964 27 27
1963 24 24
1962 45 45
1961 21 21
1960 53 53
1959 36 36
1958 39 39
1957 37 37
1956 33 33
1955 28 28
1954 38 38
1953 24 24
1952 27 27
1951 25 25
1950 27 27
1949 30 30
1948 25 25
1947 35 35
1946 32 32
1945 31 31
1944 41 41
1943 22 22
1942 36 36
1941 28 28
1940 35 35
1939 29 29
1938 41 41
1937 42 42
1936 35 35
1935 42 42
1934 44 44
1933 40 40
1932 46 46
1931 36 36
1930 34 34
1929 34 34
1928 33 33
1927 30 30
1926 24 24
1925 19 19
1924 23 23
1923 29 29
1922 28 28
1921 15 15
1920 25 25
1919 24 24
1918 37 37
1917 18 18
1916 25 25
1915 31 31
1914 16 16
1913 15 15
1912 12 12
1911 18 18
1910 10 10
1909 11 11
1908 12 12
1907 10 10
1906 14 14
1905 13 13
1904 11 11
1903 10 10
1902 10 10
1901 7 7
1900 12 12
1899 6 6
1898 13 13
1897 7 7
1896 8 8
1895 16 16
1894 10 10
1893 10 10
1892 9 9
1891 8 8
1890 11 11
1889 9 9
1888 6 6
1887 7 7
1886 6 6
1885 5 5
1881 5 5

Top States for Gretta (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 5
100%