Greta

♀ Girl

Pronounced GREH-tuh /ˈɡrɛt.ə/High

Meaning: German and Scandinavian short form of Margareta/Margaret, from Greek Margarites meaning pearl; the Greta form emerged as a contracted pet form and is now used as an independent given nameHigh

In 30 seconds: Greta is the German and Scandinavian short form of Margaret, meaning pearl from Greek, that carries the sophisticated cool of Greta Garbo and the contemporary relevance of Greta Gerwig and Greta Thunberg — rare name achievements across different generations.

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Origin HighGermanic, Greek

MeaningGerman and Scandinavian short form of Margareta/Margaret, from Greek Margarites meaning pearl; the Greta form emerged as a contracted pet form and is now used as an independent given name

U.S. rank (2025)#908 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births291 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1967

Total births (all-time)≈ 27,787

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Greta is a short form of Margareta, the German and Scandinavian form of Margaret, which derives from Latin Margarita and Greek Margarites, meaning pearl. The contracted form Greta developed in Germanic-speaking countries in the same way that Grete and Gretel (famously in the Grimm fairy tale Hansel and Gretel) emerged as affectionate diminutives. Greta has been used as a standalone given name in Germany, Sweden, and other Scandinavian countries since the 19th century.

Greta achieved worldwide recognition through Swedish actress Greta Garbo (1905–1990), one of the defining icons of Hollywood's golden age, whose mystique made the name synonymous with glamour and elusive beauty. The name fell from fashion through the mid-20th century but began a strong revival in the 2000s. It is now carried by director Greta Gerwig (born 1983, director of Lady Bird and Barbie) and climate activist Greta Thunberg (born 2003), giving it relevance across multiple generations simultaneously — an unusual naming achievement.

Did you know? Three women named Greta have each, in their own era, been among the most talked-about people in the world: Greta Garbo in the 1930s for film, Greta Gerwig in the 2010s for cinema direction, and Greta Thunberg in the late 2010s for climate activism — spanning almost a century of cultural influence.

Overall data confidence 95%

Behind the Name — Greta — German diminutive and etymology

Variations

GretelGreteMargareta

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Greta Garbo (1905–1990)
Swedish-American actress and a major Hollywood star of the 1930s, famous for films including Grand Hotel and Ninotchka and for her reclusive mystique.
★Greta Gerwig (1983–present)
American actress and director known for writing and directing Lady Bird (2017) and Barbie (2023), nominated for Academy Awards for both films.

If you like Greta…

Margo— two-syllable European Margaret-family short form with the same vintage-cool Northern European character

Gretel— German Margaret diminutive sibling form to Greta from the same family

Freya— two-syllable Scandinavian girls name with the same Norse/Germanic cool and contemporary appeal

Astrid— two-syllable Scandinavian classic with the same crisp, confident Northern European feel

Frequently Asked

What does the name Greta mean?

Greta is the German and Scandinavian short form of Margaret, from Greek Margarites meaning pearl.

How do you pronounce Greta?

It is said GREH-tuh — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Greta a popular name?

Yes, Greta is experiencing a strong revival driven by the visibility of Greta Gerwig (director) and Greta Thunberg (climate activist).

Is Greta related to Gretel?

Yes, both Greta and Gretel are German diminutives of Margareta (Margaret) — they are sister forms of the same root name.