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Odetta

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How to Pronounce Odetta

Pronounced oh-DET-uh /oʊˈdɛtə/Medium

Meaning: Odetta is a feminine form of Odette, itself a French diminutive of Odo or Otto, from the Germanic aud, 'wealth' or 'fortune.' The '-etta' ending gives the old wealth-name a warm, songful lift.Medium

In 30 seconds: Odetta is a feminine of Odette, from a Germanic root meaning 'wealth' (said oh-DET-uh). Rare as a birth name, it was carried by the great folk singer Odetta.

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Origin MediumGermanic, French

MeaningOdetta is a feminine form of Odette, itself a French diminutive of Odo or Otto, from the Germanic aud, 'wealth' or 'fortune.' The '-etta' ending gives the old wealth-name a warm, songful lift.

U.S. rank (2024)#16994 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1922

Total births (all-time)≈ 628

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

Odetta is a feminine diminutive of Odo or Otto, built on the Germanic aud, 'wealth' or 'fortune,' with the pretty '-etta' ending. It appears in United States records from around 1900 and peaks about 1922. Though rare as a given name, it gained lasting recognition through the singer Odetta, a towering figure in American folk music. It was never common, given to only a couple dozen girls a year.

With records running into recent years, Odetta spans several generations rather than one, and its tie to the celebrated singer keeps it from feeling merely dated. Its rich, rhythmic sound sits beside Odette, Coretta and Loretta for parents drawn to a musical, meaningful vintage name.

Did you know? The folk singer Odetta, born Odetta Holmes, was so central to the movement that she was called 'the Voice of the Civil Rights Movement.'

Overall data confidence 62%

References - Odetta — Feminine of Odette; Germanic aud 'wealth'; bearer Odetta Holmes

Variations

OdetteOdetteOddetta

Nicknames

EttaOdie

Famous Bearers

★Odetta (1930-2008)
American folk and blues singer and civil-rights activist, born Odetta Holmes, called 'the Voice of the Civil Rights Movement'

If you like Odetta…

Odette— the French parent form of this name

Odessa— a like flowing O- vintage name

Coretta— shares the warm '-etta' sound

Loretta— a same-era songful '-etta' name

Explore names like Odetta

By themerare french germanic musical

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Odetta mean?

It is a feminine diminutive of Odo or Otto, from the Germanic aud, meaning 'wealth' or 'fortune.'

How do you pronounce Odetta?

It's said oh-DET-uh /oʊˈdɛtə/, 3 syllables.

Is Odetta a boy or girl name?

Odetta is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Odetta?

It has always been rare, given to only a couple dozen girls a year around the nineteen-twenties, though the singer Odetta kept it well known.