A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Berta since 1880
Babies named Berta per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1926, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Berta's real moment was 1880.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 286 |
| 1890s | 371 |
| 1900s | 456 |
| 1910s | 754 |
| 1920s | 1,172 |
| 1930s | 1,068 |
| 1940s | 851 |
| 1950s | 744 |
| 1960s | 524 |
| 1970s | 377 |
| 1980s | 270 |
| 1990s | 188 |
| 2000s | 113 |
| 2010s | 75 |
| 2020s | 37 |
Meaning & origin
Berta, a name with Germanic origins, means 'bright' or 'famous,' reflecting its derivation from the element berht. Recorded in the U.S. since 1880, it peaked in popularity that same year, with a rank of 1,928. After declining for decades, it has been rising since 2022. As of 2025, it ranks 10,107, with about 1 in 178,585 newborns receiving the name. While it lacks strong regional concentration in the U.S., its revival suggests a renewed interest in vintage names. Berta is a direct short form of Bertha, which was once a staple in the Germanic name pool. The name's history includes noble bearers like Bertha of Laon, mother of Charlemagne, cementing its association with brightness and fame.
Berta originated as a short form of Germanic names containing the element berht, meaning 'bright' or 'famous.' It was borne by the mother of Charlemagne, Bertha of Laon. The name was common in medieval Germany and later spread to other European languages. In the English-speaking world, it fell out of favor after the late 19th century, but it saw a modest revival in recent decades.
Where Berta is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Bertie
Variants: Bertha
Sibling names for Berta
Names that share Berta's style, for a brother or sister.
