Is Etta a boy's or girl's name?

Etta is primarily a girl's name. It is also used as a boy's name, with 23 recorded births.

When was Etta most popular?

Etta reached its peak popularity in 1920 with 803 births that year. It is currently ranked #973 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Etta?

Etta is currently ranked #973 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 42,985 babies since 1880.

Etta

A familiar German name with steady appeal.

Girl's name| Also boysGermanDeclining Also a pet name

#973▼ 38in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A short form of Henrietta or of other female given names ending in -etta.

Etta is a girl's and boy's baby name of German origin, a short form of Henrietta or Loretta, from the Germanic Heimirich meaning "home ruler." As a standalone name, it carries the warm, soulful energy of one of the greatest voices in American music history.

Etta James — born Jamesetta Hawkins — defined rhythm and blues with her powerful voice, and her version of "At Last" remains one of the most celebrated recordings in American music. That musical legacy, combined with Etta's vintage charm and short, sweet sound, has driven a remarkable revival of this name.

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Popularity Over Time

Etta climbed 3777 spots in the last 20 years — from #4750 to #973.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Etta
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	1,368	#956	▼
2010s	2,004	#1361	▲
2000s	342	#5170	▲
1990s	172	#5710	▼
1980s	237	#3728	▼
1970s	458	#2055	▼
1960s	1,463	#906	▼
1950s	2,480	#581	▼
1940s	3,797	#375	▼
1930s	4,805	#283	▼
1920s	6,961	#249	▲
1910s	6,252	#206	▲
1900s	4,003	#148	▼
1890s	4,670	#104	▲
1880s	3,973	#79	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Etta
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	266	#973	-17 (-6.0%)
2023	283	#935	+28 (11.0%)
2022	255	#1018	-30 (-10.5%)
2021	285	#932	+6 (2.2%)
2020	279	#924	+25 (9.8%)
2019	254	#1011	-22 (-8.0%)
2018	276	#958	+13 (4.9%)
2017	263	#988	+6 (2.3%)
2016	257	#1030	+15 (6.2%)
2015	242	#1082	+33 (15.8%)
2014	209	#1175	+5 (2.5%)
2013	204	#1181	+72 (54.5%)
2012	132	#1633	+46 (53.5%)
2011	86	#2198	+5 (6.2%)
2010	81	#2349	+10 (14.1%)
2009	71	#2596	+14 (24.6%)
2008	57	#3029	+18 (46.2%)
2007	39	#4005	-7 (-15.2%)
2006	46	#3479	+21 (84.0%)
2005	25	#5150	-3 (-10.7%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Etta as a Boy's Name

While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Etta has also been given to 23 boys in the U.S. since 1915.

Unranked

Current rank

Total births

1915

Peak year

Compare Etta as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked

Can Etta be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Etta is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #973. As a boy's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Etta has two lives

Etta, the baby name

#973girls

42,985 babies

Currently viewing

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology