Holding steady.
Popularity of Gretna since 1904
Babies named Gretna per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1920, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Gretna's real moment was 1904.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 36 |
| 1920s | 43 |
| 1930s | 11 |
| 1940s | 17 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Gretna is a name that evokes the quaint Scottish village of Gretna Green, a historic destination for eloping couples. It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1904, its peak year of use, though it has never ranked among the top 1000 names. The name's trajectory has been remarkably stable, with no significant declines, but it remains extremely rare, occurring roughly once in every million births in recent decades. Its sound-alike cousin, Greta, has enjoyed far greater popularity. Gretna's lack of top state data suggests it never concentrated regionally. While its exact etymology is debated, the name carries a quiet, place-derived charm that appeals to those seeking a truly uncommon choice.
Gretna is a name of uncertain derivation. It may originate as a transferred use of the Scottish town Gretna Green, famed for runaway marriages. Alternatively, it could be a feminine form of the Old English name Gretan, meaning 'great'. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1904 and saw limited, sporadic use. It shares a sound with the more common Greta, a short form of Margareta.
Sibling names for Gretna
Names that share Gretna's style, for a brother or sister.
