Retta

Meaning of Retta

Retta, formally recognized as a feminine given name, traces its etymology to the Latin root laurus (“laurel”) through its early function as a diminutive of Margaretta and Loretta; this lineage situates the name within a classical paradigm in which the laurel signified victory and honor, while its reduction to Retta reflects an Anglo-American preference for concise appellations. According to United States Social Security Administration data, Retta reached its highest relative frequency in 1880 (25 occurrences, rank 193) before experiencing a gradual decline throughout the twentieth century, punctuated by intermittent revivals in recent decades (2021: 8 occurrences, rank 939; 2024: 6 occurrences, rank 944), thus underscoring its status as a rare yet persistent choice. Pronounced REH-tuh (/ˈrɛtə/) in English, the name’s clear two-syllable structure and restrained historical associations offer parents a blend of classical resonance and succinct modernity.

Pronunciation

English

• Pronunced as REH-tuh (/ˈrɛtə/)

• Henrietta
• Rosetta
• Etta
• Marietta
• Loretta
• Rhetta