Greta

German, diminutive of Margarethe

"pearl"

Greta Origin and Meaning

The name Greta is a girl's name of German origin meaning "pearl".

Greta is an Old World name long tied to the exotic, iconic Garbo. Along with other Old Hollywood glamour names, Greta seems to be showing slight signs of a comeback; it was chosen by David Caruso and by Phoebe Cates and Kevin Kline for their daughters.

Greta is currently popular in Germany, Hungary, and especially Italy. Dr. Greta Guttman was a character on Mad Men, Greta Van Susteren is a familiar face on TV, and Greta Gerwig is an up-and-coming young actress and director.

Greta returned to the Top 1000 in 1999, and hasn’t been this popular since the 1970s. Her highest point was at Number 318 in 1932, at the peak of Garbo's career, the year she starred in Grand Hotel and one year after she was Oscar-nominated for Anna Christie.

Greta is a sweet spot name--sophisticated with a touch of retro glamour. On the other hand, variant Gretel is still out strewing crumbs in the forest with brother Hansel.

# 635 in the US

Greta Rank in US Top 1000

Greta Popularity

635US2019
457Nameberry2021
563England2018
28Germany2018
88Sweden2018
91Spain2019
9Italy2019
51320282028
50Austria2019
163Switzerland2019

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Lists containing Greta

Famous People Named Greta

Greta Garbo (born Greta Lovisa Gustafsson)Swedish actress
Greta Morgan SalpeterAmerican pianist and singer of The Hush Sound and Gold Motel
Greta Celeste GerwigAmerican actress and director
Greta Van SusterenAmerican TV journalist and commentator
Greta ScacchiItalian,Australian actress
Greta Gynt (born Margrethe Woxholt)Norwegian singer, dancer and actress
Greta AndersenDanish Olympic swimmer
Margarethe "Greta" SchröderGerman actress
Gréta ArnHungarian tennis player
Greta Carusodaughter of actor David Caruso
Greta Burrelldaughter of actor Ty Burrell

Greta Lilia Bean (b. 2018)daughter of actors Lyndsy Fonseca and Noah Bean
Greta Thunberg (b. 2003) Swedish environmental activist regarding climate change (in 2019 she was invited to give a speech to the U.N. in NYC).

Greta in Pop Culture

Georgiana Evelina "Greta" O'Donnellmain character in movie "According to Greta"
Great Aunt Gretacharacter in the Horrid Henry series
Gretacharacter in movie "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2"
Gretahuman character in video game "Spyro the Dragon"
Greta Grimlycharacter on TV's "Fargo"
"Greta" song by Stevie Nicks
Greta Van FleetAmerican rock band