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

Greta is primarily a girl's name. It is also used as a boy's name, with 5 recorded births.

When was Greta most popular?

Greta reached its peak popularity in 1967 with 534 births that year. It is currently ranked #855 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Greta?

Greta is currently ranked #855 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 27,496 babies since 1885.

Greta

A German name gently fading from the charts.

Girl's name| Also boysGermanDeclining Also a pet name

#855▲ 81in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A female given name from Ancient Greek.

Greta is a girl's and boy's baby name of German origin, a German and Scandinavian short form of Margareta, from the Greek margarites meaning "pearl." It is a name of crisp, self-assured elegance — short but never lightweight.

Greta Garbo, the legendary Swedish actress of the 1920s-1940s, made this name synonymous with mysterious, otherworldly beauty. In the 2010s and 2020s, environmental activist Greta Thunberg gave it fresh urgency and moral force. It is a name that carries genuine character across the generations.

Compare Greta with another name

Popularity Over Time

Greta was #708 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #855, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Greta
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	1,627	#843	▼
2010s	4,712	#626	▲
2000s	3,755	#718	▲
1990s	1,445	#1268	▲
1980s	1,417	#1088	▼
1970s	2,210	#728	▼
1960s	3,462	#537	▲
1950s	2,309	#618	▲
1940s	1,266	#701	▼
1930s	2,879	#394	▲
1920s	1,168	#761	▲
1910s	741	#706	▲
1900s	271	#705	▲
1890s	190	#734	▲
1880s	44	#922	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(140 years, 1885–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Greta
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	314	#855	+31 (11.0%)
2023	283	#936	-41 (-12.7%)
2022	324	#859	-12 (-3.6%)
2021	336	#827	-34 (-9.2%)
2020	370	#740	-92 (-19.9%)
2019	462	#636	-57 (-11.0%)
2018	519	#589	+53 (11.4%)
2017	466	#634	-7 (-1.5%)
2016	473	#633	-60 (-11.3%)
2015	533	#575	+39 (7.9%)
2014	494	#597	+15 (3.1%)
2013	479	#594	+35 (7.9%)
2012	444	#642	+33 (8.0%)
2011	411	#684	-20 (-4.6%)
2010	431	#671	+14 (3.4%)
2009	417	#696	-17 (-3.9%)
2008	434	#695	0
2007	434	#675	+23 (5.6%)
2006	411	#688	+6 (1.5%)
2005	405	#685	+26 (6.9%)

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

Greta as a Boy's Name

While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Greta has also been given to 5 boys in the U.S. since 1934.

Unranked

Current rank

Total births

1934

Peak year

Compare Greta as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked

Can Greta be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Greta is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #855. As a boy's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Greta has two lives

Greta, the baby name

#855girls

27,496 babies

Currently viewing

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1885–2024) · Methodology