UK girl's name
Gretel
Diminutive of Greta, derived from the Germanic root meaning "pearl".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2022. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Gretel is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Gretel popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2022 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4645, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2014, with 11 births.
This profile covers 98 England and Wales registrations across 18 recorded years from 1996 to 2022. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 36% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 97 living people in the UK are called Gretel. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2023 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Gretel ranked #4645 for girls in England and Wales in 2022, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2014, when 11 girls were registered as Gretel.
- • About 97 living people in the UK are estimated to have Gretel as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4645
2022
Births in 2022
4
Latest year
Peak year
2014
11 births
Estimated living
97
2026
Meaning
What does Gretel mean?
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.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Gretel over time
The chart below shows babies named Gretel registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2022. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Gretel, the clearest high point is 2014. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2022, compared with 11 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Gretel by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Gretel was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #5113 | 7 | 2 |
| 2010s | #3590 | 53 | 8 |
| 2000s | #3758 | 34 | 7 |
| 1990s | #3126 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Gretel
- Grace 79,208
- Georgia 48,838
- Gracie 18,387
- Georgina 15,599
- Gabriella 10,902
- Gemma 8,350
- Gabrielle 7,154
- Georgie 4,883
- Gabriela 3,300
- Genevieve 2,393
- Gracie-Mae 1,727
- Greta 1,283
FAQ
Gretel: questions and answers
How popular is the name Gretel in the UK right now?
In 2022, Gretel was ranked #4645 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Gretel most popular?
The peak year on record was 2014, with 11 babies registered as Gretel in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Gretel?
Diminutive of Greta, derived from the Germanic root meaning "pearl".
How many people are called Gretel in the UK?
A total of 98 babies have been registered as Gretel across the 18 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.