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Greta as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Greta

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The baby name Greta is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈɡreɪtə/ (GRAY-tə); also /ˈɡreːta/ or /ˈɡrɛta/ (GREH-tah) in German/Scandinavian..

Gender: Female
Syllables: 2.0
Pronunciation: /ˈɡreɪtə/ (GRAY-tə); also /ˈɡreːta/ or /ˈɡrɛta/ (GREH-tah) in German/Scandinavian.

What is the meaning of the name Greta ?

The baby name Greta is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈɡreɪtə/ (GRAY-tə); also /ˈɡreːta/ or /ˈɡrɛta/ (GREH-tah) in German/Scandinavian..

Greta is in Origin.

Greta is the German and Scandinavian short form of Margareta/Margaret, ultimately from the Greek margarites, 'pearl.' The name arose as a familiar diminutive in medieval Northern and Central Europe under the wide cult of Saint Margaret, then settled as an independent given name in German-speaking countries, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, and later Italy. Its clean, two-syllable profile helped it travel into English in the 20th century.

Internationally, Greta was propelled by Swedish screen icon Greta Garbo and enjoys a contemporary boost from climate activist Greta Thunberg. Variants and close relatives include Grete, Grethe, Gretel/Gretl, Gretta, Griet, Greet, Margareta/Margaretha/Margarethe, Margaret, and Margit; related offshoots are Rita and, by association with the French Marguerite, Daisy. The enduring meaning remains 'pearl,' a symbol of rarity and luminous beauty, lending Greta a vintage yet modern elegance.

Greta has the following similar or variant Names

Famous people with the name Greta

Greta Garbo Actor · Born 1905 · United States Greta Garbo was a Swedish-American actress who became famous for her roles in classic films like 'Camille' and 'Ninotchka'. Known for her enigmatic presence and acting talent, she was one of the most popular actresses during Hollywood's Golden Age. Greta Scacchi Actor · Born 1960 · Italy Greta Scacchi is an Italian actor best known for her roles in films like 'The Player' and 'Presumed Innocent'. She has captivated audiences with her performances across a variety of genres since the 1980s. Greta Lee Actor · Born 1983 · United States Greta Lee is an American actor best known for her roles in the TV series 'Russian Doll' and 'The Morning Show'. She has also appeared in films like 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse'. Born in 1983, Greta has made a significant impact in both television and film with her versatile performances.
Greta Nissen Actor · Born 1906 · Norway Greta Nissen was a Norwegian actress best known for her roles in silent films during the 1920s and 1930s. She starred in movies like 'The Wanderer' and 'The Lucky Lady', captivating audiences with her performances.

Celebrity babies named Greta

Name Last Name(s) Mother Mother famous for Fame Level Father Father famous for Fame Level
Greta Lundgren Dolph Lundgren film director ★★★★★
Greta Kline Phoebe Cates-Kline television actor ★★★★★ Kevin Kline film director ★★★★★
Greta Thunberg Malena Ernman musician ★★★★★ Svante Thunberg television actor ★★★★★

Greta – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
Ireland Girls 2024 #1 — 911
Germany Girls 2025 #1 — 411
IT Girls 2024 #13 1,828 47
LT 0 #16 120 949
BW 0 #19 1 960
LT Girls 0 #19 863 1,904
NA 0 #33 1 2,537
MV Girls 0 #35 1 2,021
TM Girls 0 #35 1 574
MT 0 #41 3 1,767
Austria Girls 2019 #47 180 60
AL 0 #50 26 2,372
CY 0 #60 1 1,632
AL Girls 0 #70 227 4,141
BG 0 #74 9 1,799
SI 0 #75 6 1,612
JP 0 #76 2 4,057
CN 0 #86 1 3,857
MD Girls 0 #87 6 865
JM 0 #93 1 3,714
ID Girls 0 #102 1 3,319
TW 0 #103 1 4,523
GE Girls 0 #105 4 1,564
HU 0 #105 10 1,675
QA 0 #106 1 7,011
PH 0 #110 1 5,607
CY Girls 0 #112 10 3,755
BN Girls 0 #114 1 5,459
Norway Girls 2025 #119 8 453
Switzerland Girls 2024 #119 17 1,786
EE Girls 0 #119 20 1,888
KW 0 #120 2 5,216
OM 0 #120 2 6,215
EC 0 #121 1 2,502
BG Girls 0 #124 108 3,559
GR 0 #129 7 3,911
MT Girls 0 #130 22 3,773
SI Girls 0 #134 41 2,769
PA 0 #135 4 3,797
MU 0 #137 1 3,613
RS Girls 0 #137 1 1,651
LT Boys 0 #144 8 2,166
Sweden Girls 2022 #149 31 1,568
IT Girls 0 #153 17,108 9,415
CR 0 #163 3 5,526
PR Girls 0 #165 3 3,171
HR 0 #179 3 2,081
UY 0 #181 2 2,477
LU Girls 0 #184 7 4,850
AE 0 #185 3 10,220
CZ 0 #186 1 3,154
RU 0 #190 5 3,641
AR 0 #192 2 2,915
GR Girls 0 #198 45 6,293
HU Girls 0 #198 26 3,308
DK 0 #202 5 5,198
IT 0 #205 1,276 4,183
PL 0 #206 7 2,600
SI Boys 0 #211 1 3,402
AO Girls 0 #214 4 4,575
PS 0 #225 2 5,692
EC Girls 0 #227 13 3,650
HR Girls 0 #230 60 3,687
NA Girls 0 #232 6 7,146
PL Girls 0 #240 125 5,096
BD 0 #241 1 5,992
PT 0 #249 2 4,161
JM Girls 0 #250 10 7,507
JP Girls 0 #250 2 6,592
MO Girls 0 #259 5 7,056
TW Girls 0 #263 14 8,139
NG 0 #272 1 5,926
Canada Girls 2024 #274 12 2,795
IL 0 #280 3 6,291
SG 0 #281 2 11,010
Finland 0 #295 13 830
DK Girls 0 #296 21 7,429
AL Boys 0 #298 6 5,122
PE 0 #298 13 6,350
CZ Boys 0 #305 1 6,530
QA Girls 0 #305 12 15,378
SA 0 #311 2 10,560
Finland Girls 0 #322 71 1,368
CZ Girls 0 #327 15 5,378
KZ Girls 0 #328 5 5,862
CN Boys 0 #331 1 9,639
CN Girls 0 #333 17 8,829
GH Girls 0 #337 1 6,973
Finland Girls 2026 #351 783 3,895
HK 0 #352 6 8,483
MU Girls 0 #355 8 8,539
BR 0 #360 1 5,969
PH Girls 0 #369 22 13,098
NL 0 #370 22 2,481
Austria Girls 0 #373 48 1,885
OM Girls 0 #383 14 15,987
Germany 0 #395 43 2,542
MX 0 #396 18 8,339
RU Girls 0 #397 103 11,913
France Girls 2021 #398 8 3,185
YE 0 #398 1 8,639
BO 0 #405 4 6,868
BD Girls 0 #406 1 8,413
PH Boys 0 #408 1 11,440
EG 0 #412 1 6,387
CL 0 #427 8 6,867
PA Girls 0 #428 54 9,861
ZA 0 #433 15 14,421
Spain 0 #440 13 2,326
PT Girls 0 #469 3 7,952
AR Boys 0 #481 3 7,628
KW Girls 0 #484 32 19,177
PS Girls 0 #498 26 10,981
GT Boys 0 #499 1 7,625
CO 0 #505 6 7,768
PA Boys 0 #505 1 9,305
IR Girls 0 #510 21 8,334
CR Girls 0 #516 17 11,342
AE Girls 0 #522 32 20,968
IQ Girls 0 #525 1 11,303
UY Girls 0 #529 8 6,731
Germany Girls 0 #530 352 4,949
GT Girls 0 #536 6 7,500
NL Girls 0 #557 445 5,933
CM Girls 0 #559 2 11,671
LY 0 #559 1 12,703
AR Girls 0 #560 40 8,289
PS Boys 0 #561 1 10,655
IR Boys 0 #565 1 10,162
SG Girls 0 #567 20 18,916
IL Girls 0 #568 50 11,648
BO Girls 0 #583 29 9,488
HK Girls 0 #586 30 16,104
BD Boys 0 #603 3 10,045
United States Girls 2024 #611 314 8,487
IL Boys 0 #625 1 10,983
LB 0 #646 13 13,263
IN Girls 0 #651 4 13,121
PE Girls 0 #665 295 14,861
SY 0 #719 10 11,684
QA Boys 0 #743 1 18,093
Spain Girls 0 #754 232 5,561
BR Boys 0 #785 1 12,213
CL Girls 0 #787 65 14,098
KW Boys 0 #806 1 18,755
NG Girls 0 #822 5 15,093
TN 0 #863 3 13,765
SA Girls 0 #918 18 25,931
PE Boys 0 #923 4 14,506
EG Boys 0 #925 1 15,035
BR Girls 0 #929 13 12,708
CO Boys 0 #980 2 15,656
MX Girls 0 #982 202 17,781
MY Girls 0 #985 10 24,821
ZA Girls 0 #996 146 25,928
NG Boys 0 #1,001 1 16,906
EG Girls 0 #1,004 6 14,742
MX Boys 0 #1,029 5 16,355
CO Girls 0 #1,036 43 16,140
IN Boys 0 #1,037 3 16,750
MY Boys 0 #1,182 1 25,439
TR 0 #1,189 23 19,440
MA 0 #1,196 4 20,986
DZ 0 #1,229 6 20,130
ZA Boys 0 #1,270 3 25,619
IT Boys 0 #1,379 93 10,046
SA Boys 0 #1,689 3 28,008

Greta is popular in 86 countries — most recent births per country:

Norway
France
Canada
IT
Ireland

Did we miss something about this name? Let us know!

People also ask about Greta

Greta is predominantly a girl's name.
Greta is a 2 syllable name, pronounced /ˈɡreɪtə/ (GRAY-tə); also /ˈɡreːta/ or /ˈɡrɛta/ (GREH-tah) in German/Scandinavian..
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Grete, Gretta, Greet, Griet, Gretel and Gretchen.
Yes, very popular — Greta ranked #1 in Ireland in 2024, and appears in official birth registries across 13 countries.
Greta ranks highest in Ireland (#1 in 2024).
Greta's popularity is rising. It moved from #127 in 2016 to #119 in 2025 in Norway.
Yes — 4 notable people named Greta are in our database, including Greta Garbo (Actor), Greta Scacchi (Actor), Greta Lee (Actor).
Yes — at least 3 celebrity couples have chosen Greta for their child, including Dolph Lundgren.