A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Neta since 1881
Babies named Neta per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1920, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Neta's real moment was 1898.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 72 |
| 1890s | 216 |
| 1900s | 224 |
| 1910s | 426 |
| 1920s | 587 |
| 1930s | 490 |
| 1940s | 522 |
| 1950s | 362 |
| 1960s | 165 |
| 1970s | 38 |
| 1980s | 12 |
| 1990s | 17 |
| 2000s | 48 |
| 2010s | 36 |
| 2020s | 11 |
Meaning & origin
Neta first appeared in U.S. records in 1881 and reached its peak popularity in 1898 during the 1890s, a time when many floral and nature-inspired names were fashionable. After fading into obscurity for most of the 20th century, the name began rising again since 2020, reflecting a revival of vintage Hebrew names. Despite its long history, Neta remains rare, with no recent rank or one-in-N data available, giving it an uncommon yet familiar feel. Its top states are not recorded, but its origins are strongly tied to Hebrew-speaking communities.
Neta comes from the Hebrew root נטע (n-t-'), meaning "to plant" or "to establish." In the Bible, the related word "netzer" appears in Isaiah 11:1 as "a branch" from the stump of Jesse. The name gained use among Jewish communities in the 19th century, and experienced a modest peak in the United States in the 1890s. After falling out of favor, it has seen a small revival since the 2020s.
“Neta” around the world
Where Neta lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Sibling names for Neta
Names that share Neta's style, for a brother or sister.
