Greta

Greta is a German short form of Margareta, which derives from the Greek margarites meaning pearl. It has a clean, Scandinavian crispness to it and was famously borne by the legendary actress Greta Garbo. In recent years it's also associated with climate activist Greta Thunberg, adding a dimension of courage and directness.

Greta is a name with genuine personality — it sounds like it belongs to someone who has a point of view and isn't shy about sharing it. For pets, it suits cats and dogs with a slightly imperious quality: the German Shepherd who supervises the household, the tabby cat who issues opinions from the windowsill. The name has old-world European elegance without being precious about it. Greta is unfussy, direct, and memorable — which makes it an excellent pet name for animals who are all three of those things.