The name Greta originated from the Germanic root "graut" or "grait", which means "pearl" or "jewel". It first appeared as a feminine name in medieval Germany and Scandinavia during the Middle Ages, around the 12th century.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Greta is found in the Old Norse saga "Heimskringla", written by the Icelandic scholar Snorri Sturluson in the 13th century. The saga mentions a Norwegian woman named Greta who lived in the 11th century.

In the 14th century, the name Greta was popularized by St. Gertrude the Great, a German Benedictine nun and mystic who was born in 1256 and died in 1302. She is also known as St. Gertrude of Helfta and is venerated as a patron saint of mystics and gardeners.

Another notable historical figure with the name Greta was Greta Holm, a Swedish actress born in 1904 and died in 1993. She starred in several Swedish and German films during the silent movie era and is considered one of the pioneers of Swedish cinema.

In the literary world, Greta Garbo, born Greta Lovisa Gustafsson in 1905 and died in 1990, was a Swedish-American film actress who is widely regarded as one of the greatest actresses of Hollywood's golden age. She is known for her roles in films such as "Flesh and the Devil", "Grand Hotel", and "Camille".

Another famous bearer of the name Greta was Greta Thunberg, the Swedish environmental activist born in 2003. She gained international recognition for her activism against climate change and her powerful speeches urging world leaders to take action on the climate crisis.

Greta Schröder, born in 1965, is a German politician who served as the Minister of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth from 2002 to 2005. She was also a member of the German Bundestag from 1998 to 2009.