Total births
41
Girls' name · since 1916
Gretha
Since 1916, U.S. Social Security records show 41 babies named Gretha, peaking in 1928. See the year-by-year trend, decade totals, and state rankings below, sourced from federal birth data.
- 41
- total births
- 1916–1966
- years on record
- 1930s
- peak decade
- 39%
- born in that decade
Gretha sits outside today's top ranks for girls, with 41 recorded since 1916.
According to the U.S. Social Security Administration, Gretha has been recorded 41 times among girls since 1916, though it is not among the currently most-used girls names, with its heaviest use in the 1930s. This profile covers year-by-year birth trends, decade totals, and state-level distribution, all derived directly from SSA birth-registration files spanning 1916 to 1966.
- 41 total births
- 1916–1966 years on record
- 1930s peak decade
- 39% born in that decade
Data updated Jun 2026
The verdict
41 girls have been named Gretha since 1916, peaking in the 1930s, last recorded in 1966.
- 41
- total births
- 1916–1966
- years on record
- 1930s
- peak decade
- 39%
- born in that decade
1930s
Peak decade
39% of everyone ever named Gretha was born in this single decade.
1928
Single peak year
8 babies were named Gretha in 1928 - its busiest year on record.
Gretha's usage pattern, beyond the headline number
Divide Gretha's SSA record in two at 1934 and the more recent half accounts for 54% of all births, the earlier half the remaining 46%, a genuinely balanced usage pattern. Its calmest year was 1916, with only 5 births recorded -- set against the 1928 peak of 8, that's the full swing in one name's fortunes.
Gretha at a glance
Last recorded 1966Peak year
1928
Current rank
Unranked
Active since
1916
Gretha popularity over time
Annual U.S. births registered with the Social Security Administration · 1916–1966
- Peak year (1928)
- 8
- Annual births at peak, across 51 years of records
Gretha by decade
Total births in each ten-year window, peak vs trough at a glance
1930s was Gretha's strongest decade.
16 babies received the name during that ten-year window, about 39% of all-time use.
Gretha births by decade
Total births in each ten-year window
- 1910s 5
1910s
5 births
- 1920s
1920s
8 births
- 1930s
1930s
16 births
- 1940s 6
1940s
6 births
- 1960s 6
1960s
6 births
What this shows Peak: 1930s at 16 births (39% of all-time use).
Frequently Asked Questions
How popular is the name Gretha? ▼
Since 1916, Social Security records show 41 babies named Gretha. The most recent recorded year was 1966. Its busiest year on record was 1928, with 8 births.
When was Gretha most popular? ▼
Gretha was most popular in the 1930s decade with 16 total births. The single peak year was 1928.
How long has the name Gretha been used? ▼
Records for Gretha go back to 1916, giving 51 years of history through 1966.
What names are similar to Gretha? ▼
Names with a similar sound or spelling include Gretchen, Greta, Grecia, Gretta, and 4 more. These share a common prefix and are also used for girls.
What to do with Gretha's data
- Gretha's usage has stayed within range of its 1930s decade-level peak (16 total births) through the 1960s (6) -- a comparatively stable name, not a fading trend.
- Weighing it against an alternative? Put two names side by side. Compare names
Figures reflect SSA-reported births only; see the methodology above for the privacy-suppression floor.
Keep exploring Gretha
Nearby Names Like Gretha
Names with a similar sound, spelling, or feel to Gretha
Gretchen Girl
#3463 53,799 births
Greta Girl
#861 27,786 births
Grecia Girl
#1159 6,318 births
Gretta Girl
#4391 4,139 births
Greer Girl
#1987 3,085 births
Compare Gretha side by side: Gretha vs Gretchen Gretha vs Greta Gretha vs Grecia
Related Names
Names with a similar number of total births
Data Sources
Data as of June 2026. Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA).
According to the Social Security Administration, this profile draws directly from the agency's public-use baby-name files (updated June 2026). See our methodology for the full extraction, aggregation, and privacy-suppression rules.
Primary: Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, Baby Names from Social Security Card Applications, National Data, 1916–1966 (ssa.gov/oact/babynames).
State-level: Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, Baby Names, State-Level Files (namesbystate.zip).
Cite this page
NameAlmanac Editorial. "Gretha: Baby Name Since 1916 - 41 Births, Peak 1928." NameAlmanac. Accessed via https://namealmanac.com/name/gretha. Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Name Almanac is rendered directly from the Social Security Administration's public baby-name files, no number is typed in by an editor. This profile for Gretha draws directly on SSA national and state-level files, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of June 2026.