A 1910s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Odetta since 1900
Babies named Odetta per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1922, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Odetta's real moment was 1911.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 15 |
| 1910s | 110 |
| 1920s | 140 |
| 1930s | 93 |
| 1940s | 33 |
| 1950s | 56 |
| 1960s | 113 |
| 1970s | 58 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 10 |
Meaning & origin
Odetta is a rare feminine name with German-French origins, often interpreted as 'wealth' or 'fortune'. In the United States, it first appeared in records in 1900 and reached its peak in 1911, though it never entered the top 1000. The name experienced a revival after 2020, with a rising trajectory. Its quiet charm and melodic sound make it a distinctive choice for parents drawn to early 20th-century vintage names. The name is familiar largely due to the American folk singer Odetta Holmes, though that connection is not here attested. With no state-level concentrations, Odetta remains a truly uncommon find.
Odetta is a diminutive of the Germanic name Oda, which itself derives from the element 'od' meaning 'wealth' or 'fortune.' The name was adopted in French as Odette, with Odetta as an elaborated form. It saw modest use in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in the United States.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Detta, Odie, Etta
Sibling names for Odetta
Names that share Odetta's style, for a brother or sister.
