Gretchen
Meaning: “pearl”
About the name Gretchen
Gretchen is a girl name with Ancient Greek roots, meaning “pearl”. It is related to Margaret, which is where the meaning comes from.
It has a classic, unique, nature feel. In 2025, Gretchen ranked #4292 for girls in the US, with 33 babies given the name. Its peak year since 1940 was 1973. Since 2000, 100% of US babies named Gretchen were girls.
Etymology
A pet form of Margaret, which comes from Ancient Greek, meaning “pearl”.
Name meaning adapted from Wiktionary (“Gretchen”, “Margaret”) by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- US rank 2025
- #4292
- In 2015
- #1429
- Babies in 2025
- 33
Popularity of Gretchen, 1940–2025
Latest SSA data: 2025.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration national baby names (public domain; names given to at least 5 babies of one sex per year).
Names similar to Gretchen
- Cindy“Cynthian (of or pertaining to Mount Cynthus, a mountain of Delos, celebrated as the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis)”
- Cynthia“Cynthian (of or pertaining to Mount Cynthus, a mountain of Delos, celebrated as the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis)”
- Cindi“Cynthian (of or pertaining to Mount Cynthus, a mountain of Delos, celebrated as the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis)”
- Cyndi“Cynthian (of or pertaining to Mount Cynthus, a mountain of Delos, celebrated as the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis)”
- Cyndy“Cynthian (of or pertaining to Mount Cynthus, a mountain of Delos, celebrated as the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis)”
- Denise“follower of Dionysus”
- Dorcas“gazelle”
- Gaia“Gaea, the Earth personified as a goddess”
- Iola“violet”
- Maggie“pearl”
Name meanings marked or linked “Wiktionary” are adapted from Wiktionary by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; each name page links its source entry.