Holding steady.
Popularity of Meta since 1880
Babies named Meta per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 650 |
| 1890s | 1,104 |
| 1900s | 774 |
| 1910s | 950 |
| 1920s | 756 |
| 1930s | 391 |
| 1940s | 333 |
| 1950s | 451 |
| 1960s | 323 |
| 1970s | 164 |
| 1980s | 109 |
| 1990s | 53 |
| 2000s | 78 |
| 2010s | 60 |
| 2020s | 15 |
Meaning & origin
Meta is a rare name that saw its peak usage in the 1890s, during which it reached its highest popularity in 1890. Despite being first recorded in 1880, it never ranked among the top 1000 names in any year, with an estimated frequency of less than 1 in every million births in recent decades. Its trajectory has been stable at very low levels, and it saw no revival in later decades. The name's origins are likely Dutch or German, serving as a nickname for Margaret or similar names. While never common, Meta has a short, crisp sound that aligns with vintage names like Lena and Ida, which are enjoying a resurgence. However, Meta itself remains obscure, partly due to its association with the tech company in modern times. No top states have been recorded for this name, underscoring its rarity across the United States.
The name Meta has multiple possible origins. It may have arisen as a Dutch and German short form of Margaretha (Margaret) or other names beginning with Ma-. In the 19th century it was occasionally used independently in English-speaking countries. Alternatively, it could be a variant of the Greek-derived name Meta, meaning 'after' or 'beyond', though this is less likely.
Where Meta 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.
Sibling names for Meta
Names that share Meta's style, for a brother or sister.
