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Home › Baby Names Directory › Grettel

Grettel

♀ Girl

Pronounced GRET-ul /ˈɡrɛt.əl/High

Meaning: pearlHigh

In 30 seconds: Grettel is a variant of Gretel, the German diminutive of Margarete meaning pearl. Famous through Grimm's fairy tale, it carries whimsical storybook charm.
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Origin HighGermanic, German
Meaningpearl
U.S. rank (2025)#3858 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births38 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2018
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,087

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201819932025

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Grettel is a variant spelling of Gretel, the German diminutive of Margarete from the Greek margarites meaning pearl. The fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm brought the name international fame.

Grettel is an uncommon spelling variant of Gretel chosen for its whimsical old-world fairy-tale charm.

Did you know? Kinder- und Hausmärchen by the Brothers Grimm (1812) made Gretel one of the most beloved fairy-tale heroines — a resourceful girl who outsmarts the witch.
Overall data confidence 88%
Hanks & Hodges, Dictionary of First Names — reference for GrettelBehind the Name: Gretel — name etymology reference

Variations

GretelGreteGretlMargarete

Nicknames

Greti

Famous Bearers

  • ★Gretel (fictional)
    The resourceful young heroine of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale Hansel and Gretel (1812).

If you like Grettel…

Gretel— standard spelling of same fairy-tale name
Heidi— German diminutive with same alpine charm
Elsa— similar Germanic fairy-tale character name
Cristel— lands in the same popularity range
Kristel— shares Grettel's German roots

Explore names like Grettel

By themetwo-syllablegermanpearlwhimsical
By meaningJewel / Gem

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does Grettel mean?

Grettel means pearl, as a variant of Gretel/Margarete from the Greek margarites.

How do you pronounce Grettel?

Grettel is pronounced GRET-ul (/ˈɡrɛt.əl/), with two syllables.

Is Grettel a girl's name?

Yes, Grettel is a feminine name, a variant spelling of Gretel.

How popular is the name Grettel?

Grettel is an uncommon variant of Gretel, chosen for its fairy-tale charm.

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