Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Gretta
GirlGerman, Greek· “variant of Greta, from Margaret "pearl"”
- Meaning
- variant of Greta, from Margaret "pearl"
- Origin
- German, Greek
- Pronunciation
- GREH-tuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #5,466
- US babies 2025
- 23
- Best rank
- #800 (1895)
- Peak year
- 1966
Meaning and origin of Gretta
Gretta is a German and Greek name that means “variant of Greta, from Margaret "pearl"”.
Gretta is a variant of Greta, a short form of Margareta, the German and Scandinavian form of Margaret. Margaret comes from the Greek margarites, pearl, a word that may reach back to Persian. Greta became internationally known through the Swedish actress Greta Garbo and later through the environmental activist Greta Thunberg. The double t spelling appears in English and Irish use, and it is said GREH-tuh. Gretchen and the Scandinavian Grete belong to the same family, and Margaret remains the full classic form.
Popularity over time
Gretta first appears in US Social Security records in 1881. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 7 different years, starting in 1881. Its best national rank was #800 in 1895, and the most babies received it in 1966, when 100 were named Gretta. In 2025, 23 babies were named Gretta, and it ranked #5,466 nationally. That is 55% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,678 in 1920, #1,848 in 1950, #3,021 in 1980, #3,294 in 2000, #2,594 in 2010, and #5,466 in 2025. Of the 4,139 US girls named Gretta since records began, 13% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 491 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Liesl, Gala, Dannette, Annamaria, and Denita.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Gretta is usually pronounced GREH-tuh, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with G and ends in “-ta”.
Middle names for Gretta
A few middle names that flow with Gretta: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Gretta
Similar names
Greta Girl
GREH-tuh
“pearl” · Swedish
#908
Krista Girl
KRIHS-tuh
“form of Christina; follower of Christ” · Scandinavian
#3,679
Rita Girl
REE-tuh
“pearl; short for Margarita” · Italian
#1,287
Margarita Girl
mahr-guh-REE-tuh
“pearl” · Spanish
#1,893
Marta Girl
MAHR-tuh
“form of Martha, lady” · Spanish
#2,056
Christen Unisex
KRIHS-uhn
“follower of Christ; variant of Christian” · English
#9,591
Nakita Girl
nuh-KEE-tuh
“variant of Nikita, unconquered” · Russian
rare
Aleta Girl
uh-LEE-tuh
“uncertain; possibly from Alethea, truth” · Spanish
#15,044
Zina Girl
ZEE-nuh
“short for Zinaida; meaning uncertain” · Russian
#7,486
Nicole Girl
nih-KOHL
“victory of the people” · French
#383
Jacinta Girl
juh-SIN-tuh
“hyacinth” · Spanish
#4,397
Katie Girl
KAY-tee
“often said to mean 'pure'” · English
#646
Lists that include Gretta
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Gretta mean?
Gretta is a German and Greek name that means “variant of Greta, from Margaret "pearl"”.
What is the origin of the name Gretta?
Gretta has German and Greek roots. Gretta is a variant of Greta, a short form of Margareta, the German and Scandinavian form of Margaret.
Is Gretta a popular name?
Not especially. Gretta ranked #5,466 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Gretta a boy or girl name?
Gretta is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Gretta?
Gretta is usually pronounced GREH-tuh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings