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Grethe as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Grethe

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The baby name Grethe is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈɡreːtə/ (GREH-tə).

Grethe is Scandinavian in Origin.

Gender: Female
Syllables: 2.0
Origin: Scandinavian
Pronunciation: /ˈɡreːtə/ (GREH-tə)

What is the meaning of the name Grethe ?

The baby name Grethe is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈɡreːtə/ (GREH-tə).

Grethe is Scandinavian in Origin.

Grethe is a Scandinavian and North German short form of Margarethe/Margareta, cognate with English Margaret, all from Greek Margarites, "pearl." In Danish and Norwegian the "th" is pronounced like a hard t, yielding GREH-teh; German usage alternates between Grete and Grethe, with the final -e sounded. The -th spelling reflects older German orthography and Low German influence.

Usage spread through Lutheran naming traditions across Denmark, Norway, and northern Germany, flourishing especially from the 1930s through the 1960s, and now feels vintage-classic. Notable bearers include Danish singer Grethe Ingmann and Norwegian performer Grethe Kausland. Close variants and diminutives include Grete, Greta, Gretel, and Gretchen; longer roots and cognates include Margrethe (as in Denmark's Queen Margrethe II), Margarethe, Margareta, Margaret, Marguerite, and Margarita. The enduring meaning "pearl" has made Grethe a compact, traditional choice connected to a wide family of international forms.

Grethe has the following similar or variant Names

Famous people with the name Grethe

Grethe Kausland Actor · Born 1947 · Norway Grethe Kausland was a beloved Norwegian actress and singer, best known for her role in the comedy duo Dizzie Tunes. She also charmed audiences with her performances in films like 'Bør Børson Jr.' and 'Reisen til julestjernen'. Born in 1947, she became a cherished figure in Norway's entertainment scene.

Grethe – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
DK Girls 0 #96 410 7,429
Norway Girls 2012 #128 4 516
EE Girls 0 #138 5 1,888
DK 0 #166 38 5,198
Sweden Girls 2021 #182 2 1,666
NA Girls 0 #235 3 7,146
IL 0 #282 1 6,291
MY 0 #354 1 12,352
ZA 0 #468 7 14,421
CR Girls 0 #573 1 11,342
SG Girls 0 #632 1 18,916
IL Girls 0 #645 1 11,648
NL Girls 0 #939 17 5,933
BR Girls 0 #992 1 12,708
PE Girls 0 #1,009 2 14,861
ZA Girls 0 #1,101 41 25,928
CO Girls 0 #1,152 1 16,140
TR 0 #1,253 2 19,440

Grethe is popular in 15 countries — most recent births per country:

Norway
Sweden
BR
CO
CR

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

People also ask about Grethe

Grethe is predominantly a girl's name.
Grethe is a 2 syllable name, pronounced /ˈɡreːtə/ (GREH-tə).
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Grete, Greta, Gretha, Gretel, Gretchen and Margrethe.
Across languages, Grethe has these equivalents: Margaret (English), Margareta/Margaret (Scandinavian), Marguerite (French), Margarita (Spanish), Margherita (Italian).
Yes — Grethe ranked #128 in Norway in 2012, and appears in official birth registries across 2 countries.
Grethe ranks highest in Norway (#128 in 2012).
Grethe's popularity is holding steady. It moved from #127 in 2003 to #128 in 2012 in Norway.
Yes — 1 notable people named Grethe are in our database, including Grethe Kausland (Actor).