Gretel Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Gretel is a German diminutive of Margarete, meaning 'little pearl' and derived from the Greek word for 'pearl'. Its evolution includes the historical form Margarete. The name is associated with childhood innocence and fairy tales, particularly due to its prominence in 'Hansel and Gretel'. It does not have biblical relevance, and it gained popularity in the 19th century. Common variants include Greta and Gretchen, and notable individuals with this name include Gretel Bergmann and Gretel Killeen.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Gretel"
Pronunciation
/ˈɡrɛtəl/
Origin
German
Etymology
The name Gretel is a diminutive form of the name Margarete, which is derived from the Greek word 'margaritēs', meaning 'pearl'.
Meaning
little pearl
Language Evolution
Margarete, Gretel
Historical Usage
The name Gretel gained popularity in German-speaking countries, particularly in the 19th century, partly due to the fairy tale 'Hansel and Gretel' by the Brothers Grimm.
Variants & Derivatives
Greta, Margarete, Gretchen
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Gretel is often associated with childhood innocence and fairy tales, maintaining a charming and whimsical image.
Famous People
Gretel Bergmann, a German high jumper, Gretel Killeen, an Australian television presenter
📊 Gretel Name Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Gretel Name Visualizations
✨ Gretel Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 68 peak births in 2022
Geographic Spread
Popular across 5 US states, with strongest presence in Texas
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Gretel"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Gretel"
"Gretel" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 5533rd of 9107 | 39 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 4090th of 9204 | 89 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 5332nd of 12526 | 101 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 4920th of 19264 | 176 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 7838th of 27321 | 144 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 5926th of 35406 | 330 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 3290th of 30306 | 586 |
Regional Popularity of "Gretel" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Gretel" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - |
100.00% 4044th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
63.09% 4614th/7313 |
59.69% 4455th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - |
35.83% 2444th/6822 |
43.21% 2712th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Gretel"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Gretel" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Gretel" in the United States
The name Gretel is most popular in Texas, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Alpha generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Gretel has been too falling for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Gretel' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 5533rd out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 4090th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 5332nd out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 4920th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 7838th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 5926th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 3290th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Gretel' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.