Girl name · Greek
Greta
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: a pearlGreta is a girl's name that comes from Greek and means "a pearl". It is used in German, Italian, Scandinavian and English.
- Meaning
- A pearl
- Origin
- Greek
- Gender
- Girl
- Say it
- GRAY-tah (German)
Meaning and origin of Greta
As a girl's name, Greta comes from Greek and means "a pearl". It is used in German, Italian, Scandinavian and English.
In German, say GRAY-tah. In Italian, say GREH-tah. Respellings are a guide; accents vary by region.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Greta on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Greta on 3 lists.
“Started as a short form of Margareta”
From Nicknames that start with G, nicknames for names that start with G
“Pearl; Greek, short for Margarete. It fell out of Germany's top 200 in 2020. Say GRAY-tah”
From German girl names, old-fashioned German girl names
“A pearl; Greek. Say GREH-tah”
From Italian girl names, popular Italian girls' names right now
How popular is Greta?
- US rank in 2025
- #908
- 291 babies, 181 per million girls
- Best rank
- #317 in 1932
- Most babies: 534 in 1967
- Babies since 1885
- At least 27,786
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 34 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 86 per million |
| 1900s | 93 per million |
| 1910s | 91 per million |
| 1920s | 98 per million |
| 1930s | 270 per million |
| 1940s | 87 per million |
| 1950s | 120 per million |
| 1960s | 190 per million |
| 1970s | 143 per million |
| 1980s | 82 per million |
| 1990s | 80 per million |
| 2000s | 203 per million |
| 2010s | 269 per million |
| 2020s | 197 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #633 | #634 | #589 | #637 | #740 | #827 | #859 | #938 | #862 | #908 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Other forms of Greta
The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.
- GretelPearl (Greek, girl)
- MairéadA pearl (Greek, girl)
- MaisieA pearl (Greek, girl)
- MaredA pearl (Greek, girl)
- MargaretA pearl (Greek, girl)
- MargaretaA pearl (Greek, girl)
- MargaridaA pearl (Greek, girl)
- MargaritaA pearl (Greek, girl)
- MargauxA pearl (Greek, girl)
- MargeryA pearl (Greek, girl)
- MargheritaA pearl (Greek, girl)
- MargotA pearl (Greek, girl)
Names spelled like Greta
One or two letters apart, but from a different root: they look alike without sharing a meaning.
- GeetaSong (Sanskrit, girl)
- GreerWatchful, alert (Greek, girl)
- GemaGem, precious stone (Latin, girl)
- GitaSong, sacred song (Sanskrit, girl)
- GittaExalted one (Irish, girl)
- GraçaGrace, divine favor (Latin, girl)
Names with a similar meaning
Middle names for Greta
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a longer length, so the full name flows.
More girl names from Greek
- AlexandraDefender of men (Greek, girl)
- ElenaForm of Helen, probably from Greek torch (Greek, girl)
- IrenePeace, tranquility (Greek, girl)
- IrisA rainbow (Greek, girl)
- SofiaWisdom, skill (Greek, girl)
- SophieWisdom, skill (Greek, girl)
- ZoeLife, living (Greek, girl)
- AnastasiaResurrection, rising again (Greek, girl)
- ChristinaFollower of Christ (Greek, girl)
- NicoleVictory of the people (Greek, girl)
Greta: common questions
What does the name Greta mean?
Greta comes from Greek and means "a pearl".
Is Greta a boy or girl name?
Greta is mainly a girl's name.
Where does the name Greta come from?
Greta comes from Greek and means "a pearl". Today it is used in German, Italian, Scandinavian and English.
How do you pronounce Greta?
In German, say GRAY-tah. In Italian, say GREH-tah. Pronunciation can vary between languages and regions.
How popular is the name Greta?
Greta ranked #908 in the US in 2025, with 291 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What are other forms of Greta?
Forms of Greta with the same meaning and origin include Gretel (German), Mairéad (Irish), Maisie (Scottish), Mared (Welsh) and Margaret (English).
What middle names go with Greta?
Middle names that flow well with Greta include Angelina, Colette, Estelle, Fenella and Philippa. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.