Reta Girl

Popularity: — · Trend: → Stable

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: REE-tah /ˈriːtə/

Origin: Latin; Hebrew

Meaning: Latin: 'counsel'; Hebrew: 'a form of the name Ruth'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Reta has its roots in the Latin word "reta," which means "net." This etymology suggests a connection to the concept of entrapment or connection, possibly reflecting the idea of weaving or gathering. The name may also be derived from the Hebrew name "Ruth," which means "friend" or "companion," indicating a sense of companionship and loyalty.

Over time, Reta has been adopted into various languages and cultures, often as a diminutive or variation of other names, such as Rita, which is a common short form of Margarita, meaning "pearl" in Latin. Historically, the name Reta has been associated with several notable figures and cultural references.

In the Christian tradition, Saint Rita of Cascia, who lived in the 15th century, is often invoked as a patroness of impossible causes. Her name, Rita, has contributed to the popularity of similar names, including Reta, particularly in regions influenced by Catholicism.

The name's presence in literature and art, particularly during the Renaissance, further solidified its cultural significance, as names derived from saints often carried connotations of virtue and piety. Culturally, Reta embodies themes of friendship and support, resonating with the qualities of loyalty and companionship.

The name's connection to the concept of a net can also symbolize interconnectedness and community, reflecting the importance of relationships in various cultures. While Reta may not be as widely recognized as some other names, its historical and linguistic roots provide a rich tapestry of meaning that underscores its enduring appeal across different eras and societies.

Famous people named Reta

In this section, you will find notable people named Reta. 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 Reta who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Reta 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.

Reta Jo Lewis is a diplomat and business executive best known for her work with the U.S. Department of State and the Export-Import Bank of the United States.

Reta Shaw was an actress best known for her roles in The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, The Music Man, and The Unsinkable Molly Brown.

Sibling suggestions

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

RenaRitaRheaRina

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Reta. 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.

NitaLetaMetaZitaVitaCletaGretaSita

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Reta was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Reta has ranked as high as #1017 nationally, which occurred in 1946, and has been most popular in Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, and New York.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Reta 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 Reta 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 Reta.

Year Total Births Girl
1998 5 5
1994 6 6
1993 9 9
1992 5 5
1991 7 7
1990 6 6
1989 9 9
1988 6 6
1987 8 8
1986 6 6
1985 5 5
1984 9 9
1983 15 15
1982 9 9
1981 11 11
1980 17 17
1979 13 13
1978 8 8
1977 11 11
1976 17 17
1975 19 19
1974 16 16
1973 22 22
1972 21 21
1971 17 17
1970 33 33
1969 22 22
1968 30 30
1967 33 33
1966 36 36
1965 43 43
1964 47 47
1963 49 49
1962 74 74
1961 81 81
1960 80 80
1959 113 113
1958 129 129
1957 131 131
1956 148 148
1955 175 175
1954 163 163
1953 141 141
1952 133 133
1951 151 151
1950 166 166
1949 170 170
1948 158 158
1947 174 174
1946 192 192
1945 127 127
1944 149 149
1943 164 164
1942 132 132
1941 142 142
1940 156 156
1939 167 167
1938 164 164
1937 143 143
1936 150 150
1935 176 176
1934 180 180
1933 167 167
1932 160 160
1931 174 174
1930 170 170
1929 151 151
1928 152 152
1927 144 144
1926 121 121
1925 161 161
1924 167 167
1923 128 128
1922 166 166
1921 149 149
1920 172 172
1919 147 147
1918 131 131
1917 122 122
1916 147 147
1915 132 132
1914 84 84
1913 61 61
1912 69 69
1911 42 42
1910 54 54
1909 40 40
1908 49 49
1907 48 48
1906 36 36
1905 37 37
1904 23 23
1903 25 25
1902 32 32
1901 38 38
1900 32 32
1899 21 21
1898 21 21
1897 30 30
1896 42 42
1895 28 28
1894 30 30
1893 14 14
1892 24 24
1891 11 11
1890 15 15
1889 17 17
1888 12 12
1886 5 5
1885 5 5
1883 6 6
1880 5 5

Top States for Reta (1967)

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
NC 6
100%