Rising since 1992, #3,249 for girls today.
Popularity of Gretel since 1915
Babies named Gretel per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 13 |
| 1920s | 31 |
| 1930s | 69 |
| 1940s | 25 |
| 1950s | 51 |
| 1960s | 87 |
| 1970s | 114 |
| 1980s | 99 |
| 1990s | 90 |
| 2000s | 193 |
| 2010s | 435 |
| 2020s | 307 |
Meaning & origin
Gretel is a name with a fairy-tale pedigree, but its real-world use has been quite rare. First recorded in U.S. data in 1915, the name reappeared in 2022 at its peak rank of 3249, with a current 1-in-33485 incidence in 2025. Its trajectory has been rising since 1992, making it a slowly emerging choice. Geographically, Gretel shows the highest usage in Texas and California, suggesting a modest but growing appeal among parents seeking literary or heritage names. While still uncommon, the name's association with the resourceful heroine from the Brothers Grimm story gives it a distinct, sturdy charm without the weight of heavy popularity.
Gretel originated as a German diminutive of Margarete (Margaret), which derives from Greek "margaritēs" meaning "pearl." The name became widely known through the Brothers Grimm fairy tale "Hansel and Gretel," published in 1812, where Gretel is the clever sister who outwits a witch. It has been used as an independent given name in German-speaking countries and occasionally in the English-speaking world.
Where Gretel is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Gret, Greta, Ettie
Sibling names for Gretel
Names that share Gretel's style, for a brother or sister.
