The name Etta is a girl's name of English origin meaning "estate ruler". Etta and is often added to lists like Old Lady Names and discussed in our forums with posts like "Names on NB that make you go WOW!".
From the experts:
Etta, once a short form of Henrietta, has long been used on its own, and we wonder if it could follow the progression of Emma to Ella to...Etta.
Etta has taken the first step, having recently been picked by a celeb, Carson Daly, said to have been inspired by the late great soul singer Etta James, just as previous parents were similarly influenced by Ella Fitzgerald. Etta was born as a shortening of names with that ending —in fact Etta James's birth certificate name was Jamesetta.
Etta was a Top 100 name in the last decades of the 1800's, then slid down until it fell off the list completely in 1966. But with its delicate sound that also has a bit of crackle, and its new starbaby status, we can see this as a likely successor to the currently favored 'E'-names.
Henrietta "Etta" Bishop was a character on the TV show Fringe.
Comments
paulapuddephatt Says:
paintedwingz Says:
I first heard of this name when reading Passenger by Alexandra Bracken. At first, I was really skeptical about it, it felt like it was missing something. But then I found out it was short from Henrietta, which I decided I liked, and the main character, Etta Spencer, changed my opinion, because now I picture a badass, strong and smart girl whenever I see it.
I wouldn't personally use it as a given name, but it's a good nickname for Henrietta, Harriet and other names with the "et" or "etta" ending. Also, I think Harriet and Sadie is a great combo for two sisters.
MonikerWanderer Says:
Since when was Lucy only a dog's name? Don't listen to those people. They don't know what they're talking about.
bethanyengl Says:
I think unless you pick a top 10 name you will get mixed reviews regardless of the name.....our oldest is Lucy and we had SO many people tell us that was a dogs name and now it's getting pretty popular. Our other daughter is Olive and people either love it or hate it. Honestly, if hubby and I love it and it has meaning to us we don't really mind other people's opinions 😬
bethanyengl Says:
I have an Etta Grace and we love it! "At Last" by Etta James was our wedding song and we read on another baby name site that Etta was a nn for Elizabet (Scandinavian version of Elizabeth).....we love the meaning of Elizabeth which is promise of God. When we first say her name people are caught off guard and think we are saying Edda, but once we say like Etta James most people say they love it!
cabosanmucus Says:
Etta is incomplete to me.
ashbee Says:
Love the meaning and Norse heritage of Edda and the jazzy stylishness of Etta. I think I'd go with Etta, though, because it seems more at home with classmates Hazel and Edith.
ashbee Says:
I've been avoiding this name because I thought it had become very popular. Maybe it is, but I'm shocked it's not in the top 1000. There's something really soulful and stylish about it.
amybaldwin Says:
I always think of the show Fringe and Etta being short for Henrietta... I like Etta June I don't know
NaomiNY Says:
There's a character on the anime Black Lagoon named Etta.
senseandsensibility Says:
All I can think of is Etta Jones, like she was the only person in the world with this name! Really nice name with a lot of character.
Guest Says:
At first I thought this name was a bit weird and incomplete (kinda like Enzo) but the past couple days I've started to think it's very cute.
ladybug99 Says:
Here's the real question-- Edda or Etta?
rainierloner Says:
I agree, tfzolghadr! This name is short but sweet and spunky! Love the combination Adelaide Etta. :)
tfzolghadr Says:
Etta's a short name that packs a lot of punch. It's the perfect name for a family looking for a name from African-American history, or just a unique (and subtle) musical name.
Daily Delivery
Exclusive Nameberry picks, direct to you.
Etta James was originally Jamesetta. I love Henrietta, and it does make a good nn for this. I would say that it's a great nn for any names ending in Etta. It could be an independent name, but it seems more like a nn, as you said.