Gretel
Diminutive of Greta, derived from the Germanic root meaning "pearl".
Name Census estimates that about 1,291 living Americans carry the first name Gretel. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Gretel today is around 24 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Gretel births was 2022 (68 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Gretel. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
1.3K
~ 1 in 265,495 Americans
Peak year
2022
68 babies that year
Average age
24
years old
2024 SSA rank
#3,290
Tracked since 1915
Popularity
Gretel: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Gretel from the 1910s through to the 2020s, spanning 12 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 435 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Gretel remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Gretel by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Gretel during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Gretels live
The SSA's state-level files cover 5 states and territories. Texas, California, Florida recorded the most babies named Gretel, while South Carolina, Georgia, Florida recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 65 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Gretel
The name Gretel originates from the German language and culture. It is a diminutive form of the name Greta, which is derived from the Germanic root "gred" or "graid," meaning "pearl" or "grain." This suggests that the name may have been inspired by the value and beauty associated with pearls or grains.
Gretel gained widespread recognition through the famous fairy tale "Hansel and Gretel," first published in the 19th century by the Brothers Grimm. In the story, Gretel is the brave and resourceful young sister who helps her brother Hansel escape from the clutches of a wicked witch. This literary association has deeply ingrained the name in the cultural consciousness.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Gretel was Gretel Bergmann, a German high jumper and athlete who competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics (1914-2017). Her participation in the Olympics, despite facing discrimination from the Nazi regime, made her a symbol of resilience and defiance against injustice.
Another notable figure was Gretel Ehrlich (born 1946), an American writer, poet, and filmmaker known for her works exploring the relationship between humans and nature, particularly in the Arctic regions. Her poetic and insightful writings have garnered critical acclaim.
In the realm of visual arts, Gretel Lueken (1905-1999) was a German-American painter and printmaker who gained recognition for her vibrant and expressive works, often depicting scenes from everyday life and nature.
Gretel Bergmann (1914-2017), mentioned earlier, was not only an athlete but also a lifelong advocate for civil rights and social justice. Her courageous stand against the Nazi regime's oppressive policies has inspired generations of activists.
Lastly, Gretel Killeen (born 1962) is an Australian television personality, comedian, and writer known for her quick wit and comedic talent. She has hosted various popular television shows and has also written several books, showcasing her versatility as an entertainer and author.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the name Gretel throughout history, each leaving their mark in various fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of human endeavors.
People
Gretel + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Gretel as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with G
Other first names starting with G with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Gretel: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Gretel?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 1,291 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Gretel going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 265,495 US residents.
Is Gretel a common name?
We classify Gretel as "Rare". It ranks above 91.6% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 1,465 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Gretel most popular?
The single biggest year for Gretel was 2022, when 68 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Gretel is about 24 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Gretel a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Gretel in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.