A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Retta since 1880
Babies named Retta per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1922, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Retta's real moment was 1880.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 249 |
| 1890s | 294 |
| 1900s | 276 |
| 1910s | 334 |
| 1920s | 443 |
| 1930s | 437 |
| 1940s | 435 |
| 1950s | 482 |
| 1960s | 225 |
| 1970s | 101 |
| 1980s | 42 |
| 1990s | 16 |
| 2000s | 5 |
| 2010s | 28 |
| 2020s | 32 |
Meaning & origin
Retta is a rare name that was most popular in the 1880s, when it ranked 11,932 (its peak year). After falling out of favor, it has been rising again since 2012. The name is thought to be a short form of Henrietta or a variant of Rita, but its exact origin is uncertain. In 2025, about 1 in 229,610 girls were named Retta, reflecting its current rarity. The name has not been strongly associated with any particular state in recent decades.
Retta first appeared as a standalone name in the late 19th century, likely as a diminutive of Henrietta (feminine form of Henry) or as a variant of Rita (a short form of Margarita). Its use peaked in the 1880s and has gradually declined, though it has seen a modest revival since 2012.
Sibling names for Retta
Names that share Retta's style, for a brother or sister.
