A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Etta since 1880
Babies named Etta per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1920, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Etta's real moment was 1880.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 3,973 |
| 1890s | 4,670 |
| 1900s | 4,003 |
| 1910s | 6,252 |
| 1920s | 6,961 |
| 1930s | 4,805 |
| 1940s | 3,797 |
| 1950s | 2,480 |
| 1960s | 1,463 |
| 1970s | 458 |
| 1980s | 237 |
| 1990s | 172 |
| 2000s | 342 |
| 2010s | 2,004 |
| 2020s | 1,651 |
Meaning & origin
Etta first appeared on U.S. records in 1880 and peaked that same year, before declining for much of the 20th century. Since 2000 it has been on a steady upward trajectory, and its 2025 rank of 928 (1 in 5,720 girls) reflects renewed interest in vintage feminine names. The name has been most popular in states like North Dakota, Idaho, and Minnesota, aligning with its nostalgic appeal in the Midwest and Plains regions. Etta's charm lies in its brevity and soft sound, fitting comfortably alongside other revived short names. Its history as a diminutive gives it a gentle, affectionate quality without feeling overly frilly.
Etta originated as a diminutive suffix -etta borrowed from Italian, attached to names like Henrietta and Harriet. In the 19th century it became an independent given name in English-speaking countries. The name enjoyed modest popularity in the late 1800s and early 1900s before declining, and has seen a revival in the 21st century.
Where Etta 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.
“Etta” around the world
Where Etta lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
5
babies in 2025
New Zealand
11
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Etty
Sibling names for Etta
Names that share Etta's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Ada, Mae, Clara, Lila, Nora, Aretha, Della, Esta, Idella, Iola, Jetta, Leota, Louella, Lovie, Lula, Lura, Nettie, Reta, Retha, Retta, Velma, Arletta, Arnetta, Arrie, Carry, Delcie, Delpha, Edra, Elta, Fleta, Jettie, Launa, Loma, Lyda, Mahalia, Onnie, Reita, Vertie, Zettie, Altie, Benetta, Beula, Colletta, Deette, Dosha, Edrie, Ersie, Everlean, Fleda, Inda, Laverta, Leitha, Lota, Lular, Lurena, Mertis, Metta, Myrta, Onalee, Orma, Wynonna, Areatha, Attie, Azzie, Detta, Dezzie, Doshia, Fedora, Hedy, Icie, Lema, Lovett, Luddie, Mazelle, Mollye, Necie, Okla, Oneita, Ople, Oveda, Elvy, Breta, Cenia, Clemma, Creta, Eulla, Minetta, Odester, Otie, Rosea, Sinda, Statia, Vetta, Waunetta
Brothers: Otis, Arlo, Ezra, Jude, Milo, Gilmer, Olin, Otha, Roscoe, Thurman, Willis, Wylie, Collis, Isom, Lem, Lige, Ottis, Prentis, Jb, Lafe, Levert, Levie, Birt, Elzy, Esco, Fillmore, Onis, Quitman, Elzia
