Girl · 220th of 9,107
Etta
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
43,008
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1920
Peak Popularity Year
803
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Etta stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Etta is a name of Germanic origin meaning 'noble' or 'rich'. It has evolved from historical forms such as Henrietta and Hedwig. The name conveys traits of elegance and simplicity, with no direct biblical relevance. Etta gained popularity in the late 19th century and remains a charming choice in modern times.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈɛtə/
Origin
Germanic
Etymology
Etta is derived from the Germanic root 'at', meaning 'noble' or 'rich'. It is often considered a diminutive form of names like Henrietta or Loretta.
Meaning
noble, rich
Language Evolution
Etta (Modern English), Henrietta (Middle English), Hedwig (Old High German)
Historical Usage
Etta gained popularity in the late 19th century as a standalone name, often associated with various cultural movements that favored shorter, simpler names.
Variants & Derivatives
Henrietta, Loretta, Ettie
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Etta is perceived as a vintage and charming name, often associated with classic elegance and artistic flair.
Famous People
Etta James (singer), Etta Candy (fictional character in DC Comics)
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Moderately Popular name with 803 peak births in 1920
Geographic Spread
Popular across 46 US states, with strongest presence in Mississippi
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 9 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 2 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
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
Full popularity table across American generations 9 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 5870th of 7545 | 17 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 6464th of 6773 | 6 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 220th of 9107 | 15,511 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 300th of 9204 | 8,422 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 581st of 12526 | 4,816 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1596th of 19264 | 985 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 4290th of 27321 | 345 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 3487th of 35406 | 682 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1029th of 30306 | 3,073 |