Etta
Girl name · American · English · Old German
Meaninghome ruler · English form of Henrietta
- US rank
- #928
- Syllables
- 2
- Peak
- #72 in 1880
281 babies were named Etta in the US in 2025. It has dropped 4 places in five years.
Found on lists
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US births per million girls, 1880–2025
Most popular states (2025)
Similar names
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
Did you know?
A few things about Etta you might not know, from US birth records. Handy for convincing a partner, or a grandparent.
- How commonAbout 1 in every 5,721 baby girls born in the US in 2025 was named Etta, 281 babies in all. In a typical school of 500 kids, your Etta would very likely be the only one.
- HistoryEtta has been in use since at least 1880, the first year US birth records were kept. That's 145 years of Ettas, and counting.
- Best yearIt was far more popular in 1880, when it ranked #72. Today it's #928, so it could be due a comeback.
- Then vs nowEtta is 21× more common today than it was in 2000. In 2000 it was given to about 1 in 120,482 baby girls; in 2025, about 1 in 5,721.
- Where it's lovedEtta is most popular in North Dakota, where it ranks #117, followed by Idaho (#221) and Minnesota (#241). It's in the top 1,000 in 17 states.
- MeaningEtta is an English form of Henrietta, which means “home ruler”. Our records link it to American, English and Old German roots.
About the name Etta
Etta is a girl name of American, English and Old German origin meaning “home ruler”. It has 4 letters and 2 syllables, starting with E and ending in “-tta”. US birth records list Etta for girls from 1880 to 2025, in 146 of those 146 years. Its best year was 1880, when it ranked #72 among girl names. In 2025 it ranked #928, with 281 babies.
Origin:American namesEnglish namesOld German names
| Decade | Babies per million | About 1 in |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 3,085 | 324 girls |
| 1890s | 2,121 | 471 girls |
| 1900s | 1,383 | 723 girls |
| 1910s | 816 | 1,226 girls |
| 1920s | 582 | 1,719 girls |
| 1930s | 451 | 2,217 girls |
| 1940s | 271 | 3,695 girls |
| 1950s | 130 | 7,708 girls |
| 1960s | 78 | 12,739 girls |
| 1970s | 29 | 33,979 girls |
| 1980s | 14 | 72,150 girls |
| 1990s | 9.5 | 105,042 girls |
| 2000s | 18 | 54,377 girls |
| 2010s | 115 | 8,701 girls |
| 2020s | 170 | 5,892 girls |
More American girl names
- Girl name: Lainey · possibly light
- Girl name: Daisy · day's eye
- Girl name: Josie · he will add
- Unisex name: Kinsley · king's meadow
- Girl name: Sienna · from Siena
- Unisex name: Brooklyn · from Brooklyn, New York
- Girl name: Summer · summer
- Unisex name: Stevie · crown
Questions about the name Etta
What does the name Etta mean?
Etta means “home ruler” in English, as a form of Henrietta.
What is the origin of the name Etta?
Etta has American, English, Old German roots in our records. Other American names include Lainey, Daisy, Josie.
Is Etta a boy or girl name?
Etta is a girl name.
How popular is the name Etta?
Etta ranked #928 for US girls in 2025, given to 281 babies. Its best year was 1880 (#72).