Retta: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Girls	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	249	25	–	#324
1890s	294	29	+18%	#505
1900s	276	28	-6%	#537
1910s	334	33	+21%	#870
1920s	443	44	+33%	#967
1930s	437	44	-1%	#886
1940s	435	44	0%	#1,102
1950s	482	48	+11%	#1,223
1960s	225	23	-53%	#1,831
1970s	101	10	-55%	#3,541
1980s	42	4	-58%	#6,205
1990s	16	2	-62%	#12,535
2000s	5	1	-69%	#17,009
2010s	28	3	+460%	#9,797
2020s (to 2025)	32	5	+90%	#11,976

Decade

Girls

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

249

–

#324

1890s

294

+18%

#505

1900s

276

-6%

#537

1910s

334

+21%

#870

1920s

443

+33%

#967

1930s

437

-1%

#886

1940s

435

#1,102

1950s

482

+11%

#1,223

1960s

225

-53%

#1,831

1970s

101

-55%

#3,541

1980s

-58%

#6,205

1990s

-62%

#12,535

2000s

-69%

#17,009

2010s

+460%

#9,797

2020s (to 2025)

+90%

#11,976

The story of Retta

Retta is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #12,903 in 2025 with 7 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 3,399 American babies have been named Retta. Its peak came in 1922, when 60 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1920s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Retta stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Retta?

The median living Retta is about 71 years old; half are between 61 and 79. An estimated 1,200 people named Retta are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Retta year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Girls	Girls rank
2025	7	#12,903
2024	7	#13,173
2023	5	#17,093
2022	–	–
2021	8	#11,976
2020	5	#17,019
2019	–	–
2018	6	#15,265
2017	11	#9,797
2016	6	#15,844
2015	–	–
2014	5	#18,636
2013	–	–
2012	–	–
2011	–	–
2010	–	–
2009	–	–
2008	–	–
2007	–	–
2006	–	–
2005	–	–
2004	–	–
2003	–	–
2002	–	–
2001	–	–
2000	5	#17,009
1995	–	–
1990	6	#12,535
1985	6	#10,315
1980	6	#10,037
1975	10	#5,864
1970	18	#3,541
1965	22	#2,662
1960	39	#1,831
1955	48	#1,477
1950	50	#1,300
1945	50	#1,116
1940	32	#1,339
1935	48	#1,003
1930	34	#1,315
1925	36	#1,340
1920	48	#1,085
1915	42	#1,038
1910	22	#935
1905	26	#709
1900	40	#538
1895	34	#509
1890	26	#520
1885	28	#391
1880	25	#324

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Retta, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Retta?

The median living Retta is about 71 years old. Half of all living Rettas are between 61 and 79 years old.

How many people named Retta are alive today?

An estimated 1,200 people named Retta are alive in the United States, based on 3,399 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Retta in 2025?

Retta ranked #12,903 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 7 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Retta?

3,399 babies have been named Retta in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Retta most popular?

Retta peaked in 1922, when 60 newborns received the name.

Is Retta a boy or girl name?

Retta is overwhelmingly a girl's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Retta rising or falling?

Retta is on the rise, noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Retta

Retta popularity over time

The story of Retta

How old are people named Retta?

Retta year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Retta