Holding steady.
Popularity of Myrta since 1880
Babies named Myrta per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Myrta's real moment was 1883.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 182 |
| 1890s | 102 |
| 1900s | 45 |
| 1910s | 104 |
| 1920s | 168 |
| 1930s | 92 |
| 1940s | 75 |
| 1950s | 75 |
| 1960s | 71 |
| 1970s | 27 |
| 1980s | 19 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Myrta is a feminine name that experienced its peak usage in the late 19th century, with its highest rank at number 331 in the year 1883. Like many floral or plant-derived names of that era, it was part of a trend where names such as Myrtle and Flora were popular. However, Myrta has since become extremely rare, with no recorded births in recent years according to the Social Security Administration data. It has never appeared in the top 1000 names since at least 1940. The name's trajectory is considered stable, indicating it has remained consistently obscure. Myrta is an example of a 19th-century curiosity that may appeal to parents seeking a vintage, rarely heard name with a gentle botanical echo.
Myrta likely developed as a variant of Myrtle, the English name taken from the myrtle plant, a symbol of love and immortality in classical antiquity. It may also be a respelling of Myrtis, a Greek name meaning 'myrtle branch'. The name saw modest use in the late 19th century, particularly in the United States. By the early 20th century, it had largely fallen out of favor.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Myrt, Myrtie
Sibling names for Myrta
Names that share Myrta's style, for a brother or sister.
