What Does the Name Greta Mean?
Greta is a girl's name of German/Scandinavian origin meaning “pearl.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Greta |
|---|---|
| Gender | female |
| Origin | German/Scandinavian |
| Meaning | pearl |
| Variants | Grete, Gretchen, Margareta, Margarethe |
| Popularity | Traditional in Germany and Sweden; has seen a strong international revival, especially in the US and UK, in recent years. |
The meaning and origin of Greta
The name Greta means “pearl” and has German/Scandinavian origins. A short form of Margareta (Margaret), itself from Greek margarites meaning 'pearl'. Long established in German, Swedish, and Italian usage.
Variants and related names
Greta is related to several other names you may recognize: Grete, Gretchen, Margareta, Margarethe. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Greta?
Traditional in Germany and Sweden; has seen a strong international revival, especially in the US and UK, in recent years.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Greta mean?+
The name Greta means “pearl” and is of German/Scandinavian origin.
What is the origin of the name Greta?+
Greta originates from German/Scandinavian.
Is Greta a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Greta has trended in the US over time.
Greta by gender
More girl's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press