Meta

♀ Girl

Pronounced MEE-tuh /ˈmiː.tə/Medium

Meaning: A German and Scandinavian short form of Margareta (Margaret), from the Greek for 'pearl.' The oldest name in this set, it belonged to the late-nineteenth-century immigrant generation.Low

In 30 seconds: A crisp old short form: Meta trims Margaret ('pearl,' Greek), said 'MEE-tuh.' The oldest pick here.

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Origin MediumGerman, Greek

MeaningA German and Scandinavian short form of Margareta (Margaret), from the Greek for 'pearl.' The oldest name in this set, it belonged to the late-nineteenth-century immigrant generation.

U.S. rank (2021)#10068 ↗ Rising

2021 U.S. births10 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1892

Total births (all-time)≈ 6,211

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Meta is a German and Scandinavian short form of Margareta, from the Greek for 'pearl.' Carried by late-nineteenth-century immigrant families, it peaked in 1892 — the oldest peak here — and faded across the new century (said 'MEE-tuh').

Meta belonged to the late-1800s immigrant generation and has grown very rare since. Rare, antique, and crisp.

Did you know? Meta is a German short form of Margaret ('pearl') that peaked around 1892 — the earliest name in this vintage set.

Overall data confidence 55%

References — Meta — Short form of Margareta; Greek 'pearl'; oldest in set

Variations

MargaretaMetaMetta

Nicknames

MetEtta

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Meta…

Greta— a like Margaret short form

Hedwig— a like immigrant-era pick

Wilhelmina— a like old German name

Gretta— a fellow German choice

Cleta— another Greek name

Explore names like Meta

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Meta mean?

Meta is a short form of Margareta/Margaret, from the Greek for 'pearl.'

How do you pronounce Meta?

It's said MEE-tuh /ˈmiː.tə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Meta a boy or girl name?

Meta is used here as a girl's name.

How popular is Meta?

Meta peaked in the eighteen-nineties and is very rare today.