UK girl's name
Netta
A feminine name of biblical Hebrew origin meaning "plant" or "sapling".
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.
Netta is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Netta popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2022 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5669, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 3 births.
This profile covers 12 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 1997 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 12 living people in the UK are called Netta. 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
- • Netta ranked #5669 for girls in England and Wales in 2022, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1997, when 3 girls were registered as Netta.
- • About 12 living people in the UK are estimated to have Netta as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5669
2022
Births in 2022
3
Latest year
Peak year
1997
3 births
Estimated living
12
2026
Meaning
What does Netta mean?
The name Netta has its origins in various languages and cultures, with its earliest known roots dating back to ancient times. In Hebrew, the name is derived from the word "netah," meaning "plant" or "sapling," symbolizing growth and vitality. It is also believed to be a diminutive form of the name Netta in Russian and other Slavic languages, where it is a pet form of longer names like Nadezhda or Natalya.
One of the earliest known references to the name Netta can be found in ancient Greek mythology, where it was associated with the nymph Netta, a companion of the goddess Artemis. This association with nature and fertility further solidifies the name's connection to the concept of growth and renewal.
In the historical records, one of the earliest known bearers of the name Netta was Netta of Bambyce, a 4th-century Christian saint and martyr from Syria. She was revered for her unwavering faith and her dedication to spreading the teachings of Christianity, even in the face of persecution.
Another notable figure in history was Netta Muskett (1887-1963), a New Zealand novelist and playwright. Her works, which often explored themes of social injustice and the struggles of women, played a significant role in shaping the literary landscape of her time.
Moving forward in time, Netta Franklin (1905-1998) was an American civil rights activist and educator. She worked tirelessly to promote equal rights and educational opportunities for African Americans, particularly in the segregated South.
In the realm of sports, Netta Rhynold (born 1926) was a Canadian track and field athlete who competed in the 1948 and 1952 Summer Olympics. Her achievements as a hurdler and sprinter earned her a place in the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame.
More recently, Netta Barzilai (born 1993) is an Israeli singer and songwriter who gained international recognition by winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 2018 with her hit song "Toy." Her unique style and powerful performance captivated audiences worldwide, further popularizing the name Netta on a global scale.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Netta over time
The chart below shows babies named Netta registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 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 Netta, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2022, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Netta by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Netta 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 | #5669 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #5072 | 6 | 2 |
| 1990s | #3824 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Netta
- Niamh 20,347
- Nicole 19,687
- Natasha 15,578
- Nancy 12,607
- Naomi 12,199
- Natalie 10,885
- Nevaeh 7,869
- Nina 7,285
- Neve 7,180
- Natalia 7,099
- Nadia 6,032
- Nicola 4,927
FAQ
Netta: questions and answers
How popular is the name Netta in the UK right now?
In 2022, Netta was ranked #5669 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Netta most popular?
The peak year on record was 1997, with 3 babies registered as Netta in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Netta?
A feminine name of biblical Hebrew origin meaning "plant" or "sapling".
How many people are called Netta in the UK?
A total of 12 babies have been registered as Netta across the 4 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.