Greta
Greta is a girl's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Pearl.
Origin and history
Greta originated as a Low German and Swedish diminutive of Margaret, which derives from the Greek word for pearl. The name gained international prominence in the early 20th century through legendary Swedish-American actress Greta Garbo. In the United States, it remains a well-known classic name with steady modern usage.
Popularity in the United States
27,786 babies in the United States have been named Greta since 1880. It ranks #872 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #816.
States where it is most popular
- MN (9.2 %)
- NY (8.3 %)
- CA (7.6 %)
- PA (6.4 %)
- IL (6.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 44 |
| 1890-1900 | 190 |
| 1900-1910 | 271 |
| 1910-1920 | 741 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,168 |
| 1930-1940 | 2,879 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,266 |
| 1950-1960 | 2,309 |
| 1960-1970 | 3,462 |
| 1970-1980 | 2,210 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,416 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,445 |
| 2000-2010 | 3,755 |
| 2010-2019 | 4,712 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,918 |
Famous people named Greta
- Greta Garbo: Actress
- Greta Gerwig: Director, Screenwriter
- Greta Thunberg: Activist
Fun facts
- Greta developed as a shortened pet form of Margareta before becoming an independent given name across Europe and English-speaking countries.
- Iconic actress Greta Garbo made the name famous worldwide during the 1920s and 1930s.