Greta
GREH-tah · 2 syllables
♀ Female ◎ Greek / Italian ◈ 2 syllables
"Pearl"

From Greek / Italian

Greta means pearl — a German/Scandinavian diminutive of Margaret. Greta Garbo was the most mysterious actress in Hollywood history — I want to be alone. Greta Thunberg is the most influential climate activist of her generation. Greta Gerwig directed Barbie and Lady Bird. Five letters of Garbo-level mystery, Thunberg-level activism, and the director who made Barbie a masterpiece.

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Greta at a glance
MeaningPearl
OriginGreek / Italian
GenderFemale
Syllables2
NumerologyLife Path 6
US Rank (today)#728
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Why parents love Greta
  • Greta Garbo is Hollywood's most mysterious legend.
  • Greta Thunberg is the most influential climate activist.
  • Greta Gerwig directed Barbie AND Lady Bird.
  • Five letters with a strong, Scandinavian sound: GREH-tah.
  • The meaning pearl carries gem-level beauty.
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The vibe of Greta
pearlGarboI want to be aloneThunbergclimateGerwigBarbieLady BirdScandinavian
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Origin & history of Greta
Greek margarites (pearl) → Margaret → German/Scandinavian diminutive Greta
1
Greek / Italian roots
Greta is a German/Scandinavian diminutive of Margaret meaning pearl. Greta Garbo was Hollywood's most mysterious actress — I want to be alone. Greta Thunberg became the world's most influential climate activist. Greta Gerwig directed Barbie (2023) and Lady Bird (2017).
2
First recorded
Earliest known use: German/Scandinavian diminutive; Greta Garbo (1905–1990).
3
Today
Greta remains a beloved choice, ranking #728 in the US. 27,501 babies have been named Greta since 1885.
◈ Sources: Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names, SSA data
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How popular is Greta?
1967 peak year
Today, Greta is rarely chosen — ranked around #728, with only about 408 babies given the name per year. But it wasn't always this way. At its peak in 1967, 534 babies were given the name (ranked #394 nationally). Its strongest stretch was the 2010s. Greta has been declining in recent years. In all, around 27,501 babies have been registered as Greta since 1880.
Year-by-year registrations 1880–2024 · U.S. Social Security data
534 Babies named in peak year
(ranked #394)
408 Avg. per year
(last decade)
4,080 Total registrations
last 10 years
27,501 All-time total
(since 1880)
Popularity in the US today (rank #728) Popular
↓ Declining in recent years
📊 Check all names registered in the United States →
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Numerology of Greta
6
Life path number
The Nurturer
Nurturing, love and responsibility.

Greta's Life Path 1 is the leader's number — three-Greta leadership. People named Greta tend to be mysterious, activist, and gifted at directing masterpieces while saving the planet.

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Directs masterpieces while saving planet
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Garbo-level mystery
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Thunberg-level courage
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Gerwig-level artistry
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Pearl-strong
G7
R9
E5
T2
A1
Sum: 24 → Life path 6
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Personality of Greta
❤️
Nurturing heart
They notice when someone is struggling before anyone else.
🏡
Creates warmth
Their circle is warmer for their presence.
⚖️
Strong morals
They know what's right and stand by it.
🌸
Quietly selfless
They give and give, often without realising how much.
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Names that sound like Greta

If you love Greta, you might love these names with a similar sound, rhythm or feel.

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Names that combine with Greta

Sibling pairings that share the timeless, classic energy of Greta.

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Middle names for Greta

The right middle name turns Greta into a complete story. Explore options for first-and-middle pairings, then last-name flow.

Want a personalised middle name for Greta? Try our dedicated generator with 1,000+ pairings.

♡ Generate middle name for Greta →
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Numerology life path calculator

Enter any full name and date of birth to discover the life path number — a core numerological indicator of personality, purpose and destiny.

First name
Middle name (optional)
Last name
Date of birth
7
Life path number

How we calculated this
Greta is a beautiful choice.
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