Metta Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MET-uh //ˈmɛtə//
Origin: Sanskrit; Pali
Meaning: Sanskrit: loving kindness; Pali: goodwill
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Metta has its roots in the Pali language, where it means 'loving-kindness' or 'friendliness.' This term is derived from the Sanskrit word 'maitrī,' which carries a similar meaning. The linguistic journey of Metta can be traced back to ancient Indian texts, particularly those associated with Buddhism, where it represents a significant concept in the practice of compassion and benevolence.
The name entered the English language through translations of Buddhist texts and the influence of Eastern philosophies in the West, particularly during the 19th and 20th centuries when interest in Buddhism grew. Historically, the concept of Metta is closely linked to the teachings of the Buddha, who lived in the 5th to 4th century BCE.
The practice of Metta Bhavana, or the cultivation of loving-kindness, is a central aspect of Buddhist meditation and ethics. This practice emphasizes the importance of goodwill towards oneself and others, contributing to the name's enduring significance in spiritual contexts.
Additionally, the name has been associated with various figures in Buddhist literature, reinforcing its cultural and religious importance. In Western contexts, Metta has been embraced as a name that symbolizes compassion and kindness, reflecting the values of love and friendship.
The name's association with positive emotions has allowed it to resonate with those who appreciate its deeper meanings. While not widely used as a diminutive, the name Metta stands alone as a representation of its rich philosophical heritage, embodying ideals that have transcended cultural boundaries and continue to inspire individuals seeking to embody these virtues.
Famous people named Metta
In this section, you will find notable people named Metta. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Metta who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Metta who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Metta World Peace is a former professional basketball player best known for playing with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning an NBA championship, and his time with the Indiana Pacers.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Metta, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Metta. 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.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Metta was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Metta has ranked as high as #891 nationally, which occurred in 1924, and has been most popular in North Carolina.
In the past 5 years the name Metta has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Metta 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 Metta was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Metta (1924)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NC | 7 |
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 Metta.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2020 | 12 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2015 | 11 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2009 | 8 |
| 1998 | 5 |
| 1986 | 5 |
| 1985 | 8 |
| 1983 | 5 |
| 1981 | 5 |
| 1978 | 7 |
| 1976 | 5 |
| 1971 | 7 |
| 1969 | 5 |
| 1968 | 5 |
| 1967 | 6 |
| 1966 | 7 |
| 1965 | 8 |
| 1960 | 6 |
| 1958 | 6 |
| 1955 | 7 |
| 1954 | 9 |
| 1953 | 8 |
| 1952 | 8 |
| 1951 | 6 |
| 1950 | 6 |
| 1949 | 10 |
| 1947 | 8 |
| 1946 | 10 |
| 1945 | 6 |
| 1944 | 10 |
| 1943 | 8 |
| 1942 | 6 |
| 1941 | 5 |
| 1940 | 5 |
| 1939 | 12 |
| 1938 | 17 |
| 1937 | 8 |
| 1936 | 8 |
| 1935 | 12 |
| 1934 | 10 |
| 1933 | 11 |
| 1932 | 11 |
| 1931 | 14 |
| 1930 | 12 |
| 1929 | 12 |
| 1928 | 10 |
| 1927 | 16 |
| 1926 | 10 |
| 1925 | 23 |
| 1924 | 25 |
| 1923 | 17 |
| 1922 | 18 |
| 1921 | 20 |
| 1920 | 19 |
| 1919 | 21 |
| 1918 | 15 |
| 1917 | 23 |
| 1916 | 22 |
| 1915 | 18 |
| 1914 | 17 |
| 1913 | 10 |
| 1912 | 10 |
| 1911 | 13 |
| 1910 | 11 |
| 1909 | 10 |
| 1907 | 8 |
| 1906 | 12 |
| 1905 | 6 |
| 1904 | 9 |
| 1903 | 11 |
| 1902 | 15 |
| 1901 | 14 |
| 1900 | 15 |
| 1899 | 14 |
| 1898 | 10 |
| 1897 | 20 |
| 1896 | 18 |
| 1895 | 21 |
| 1894 | 13 |
| 1893 | 12 |
| 1892 | 20 |
| 1891 | 15 |
| 1890 | 18 |
| 1889 | 9 |
| 1888 | 20 |
| 1887 | 8 |
| 1886 | 13 |
| 1885 | 12 |
| 1884 | 16 |
| 1883 | 12 |
| 1882 | 10 |
| 1881 | 10 |
| 1880 | 15 |