The nameEtta
Etta is a vintage girl's name, short for Henrietta. It is back in fashion in England.
- Girl's name
- Germanic
Meaning
Etta shortens names ending in etta, above all Henrietta, from the Germanic heim, "home", and ric, "ruler".
Origin
Germanic, through English.
History
Etta was common in the United States in the late 19th century. Etta James gave it soul. In England and Wales it reached 141st place in 2024.
Did you know?
- Etta James's At Last (1960) became one of the most famous wedding songs.
Famous people named Etta
- Etta James, singer
- Etta Place, companion of the Sundance Kid
Popularity of the name Etta
Etta in the United States
Etta was most popular in the United States in the 1920s, with 6,971 births over the decade, 16% of all recorded babies named Etta. Half of all babies named Etta in the United States were born before 1923, so it is mostly a great-grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 274 births a year.
Etta in the United Kingdom
Etta was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2020s, with 1,801 births over the decade, 63% of all recorded babies named Etta. Its rise began around 2012, and it peaked in 2024. Half of all babies named Etta in the United Kingdom were born before 2021, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 320 births a year on average, against 170 in the five years before.
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Etta
Names from the same generation as Etta, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Etta? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Etta with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Etta side by side with the name of your choice.
Etta in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Etta mean?
Etta shortens names ending in etta, above all Henrietta, from the Germanic heim, "home", and ric, "ruler".
What is the origin of the name Etta?
Germanic, through English.
Is Etta a girl's or a boy's name?
Etta is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Etta?
In 2024, Etta was the 975th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 266 births.
What are the variants of the name Etta?
Variants and related names of Etta include Henrietta.
What are good sibling names for Etta?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Ramona, Zelda, Louisa and Violette for a sister, Alistair, Lyam, Caius and Imran for a brother.
Who are famous people named Etta?
Etta James, singer; Etta Place, companion of the Sundance Kid.