Meta Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name 'Meta' has Greek origins, meaning 'beyond' or 'after'. It has evolved through historical forms in Ancient Greek and Latin to modern English usage. The name is associated with transformation and has gained popularity in recent years, particularly linked to technology. There is no direct biblical relevance to the name. Notable individuals with the name include actress Meta Golding.
The name Meta is most popular in Wisconsin, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the G.I. Generation generation in the MidWest 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, Meta has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Meta' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 635th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1215th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1634th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3479th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 7894th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 13004th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 14588th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Meta' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Meta"
Pronunciation
/ˈmɛtə/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name 'Meta' originates from the Greek word 'meta', which means 'beyond' or 'after'. It has been used in various contexts, including philosophy and science, to denote transition or change.
Meaning
beyond, after
Language Evolution
Ancient Greek: μετά (meta), Latin: meta, Modern English: Meta
Historical Usage
The name gained some popularity in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, particularly in the context of technology and social media, often associated with concepts of transformation and innovation.
Variants & Derivatives
Metta, Metah, Meti
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, the name 'Meta' is perceived as modern and innovative, often associated with technology and digital culture, especially after the rebranding of Facebook to Meta Platforms, Inc.
Famous People
Meta Golding, an actress, Meta Wagner, a notable figure in the arts
Explore More Meta Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Meta"
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 "Meta"
"Meta" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 635th of 9107 | 2,280 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1215th of 9204 | 699 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1634th of 12526 | 781 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 3479th of 19264 | 299 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 7894th of 27321 | 142 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 13004th of 35406 | 102 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 14588th of 30306 | 58 |
Regional Popularity of "Meta" 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 "Meta" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
38.42% 544th/1416 |
46.34% 639th/1379 |
36.01% 852nd/2366 |
77.93% 890th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
86.48% 1337th/1546 |
59.83% 931st/1556 |
58.39% 1374th/2353 |
94.96% 1469th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
74.99% 1670th/2227 |
73.74% 1792nd/2430 |
65.30% 1863rd/2853 |
85.12% 2362nd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - |
100.00% 3518th/3518 |
94.04% 3803rd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Meta"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Meta" 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.