Mette
A girl's name of Danish origin with 68 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
a female given name
Mette is a girl's baby name of Danish and Norwegian origin, a Scandinavian short form of Margarethe (the Danish form of Margaret), of Greek origin meaning 'pearl.' Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway is perhaps the most prominent modern bearer.
Mette has a clean, minimalist Scandinavian elegance — two syllables, instantly pronounceable, deeply rooted in Nordic royal and literary tradition. In America, it's a rare find of Nordic heritage.
EtymologyShow more
Mette is cataloged under the Danish naming tradition. Names from the Danish tradition carry linguistic and cultural patterns that shape their sound, structure, and associations.
In the U.S., Mette has been recorded as a girl's name since 1959, with 68 total births. Browse the Danish names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Mette has 12+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1959.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 19 | #15432 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 5 | #17477 | — |
| 1990s | 5 | #14420 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 16 | #9069 | — |
| 1960s | 17 | #7087 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 6 | #6015 | — |
The Story of Mette
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2010, Mette is a name that defines a generation. Girls named Mette are most likely born between 2000 and 2016.
How rare is Mette?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Mette is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1959, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 2010s with 19 births that decade.
Mette by the numbers
- Would fill 1 school bus
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(12 years, 1959–2016)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 6 | #15593 |
| 2012 | 6 | #16237 |
| 2010 | 7 | #14465 |
| 2003 | 5 | #17477 |
| 1990 | 5 | #14420 |
| 1977 | 6 | #9213 |
| 1971 | 5 | #9149 |
| 1970 | 5 | #8846 |
| 1969 | 6 | #7168 |
| 1968 | 5 | #7782 |
| 1966 | 6 | #6311 |
| 1959 | 6 | #6015 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mette a boy's or girl's name?
When was Mette most popular?
How popular is the name Mette?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1959–2016