Gretchen
Every Gretchen since 1882 — 53,837 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Gretchen
Gretchen is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #4,292 in 2025 with 33 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1882, 53,837 American babies have been named Gretchen. Its peak came in 1973, when 1,351 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
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 Gretchen stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Gretchen year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 33 | #4,292 | — | — |
| 2024 | 45 | #3,474 | — | — |
| 2023 | 65 | #2,681 | — | — |
| 2022 | 52 | #3,136 | — | — |
| 2021 | 61 | #2,797 | — | — |
| 2020 | 65 | #2,607 | — | — |
| 2019 | 71 | #2,490 | — | — |
| 2018 | 96 | #2,032 | — | — |
| 2017 | 120 | #1,758 | — | — |
| 2016 | 170 | #1,380 | — | — |
| 2015 | 162 | #1,429 | — | — |
| 2014 | 191 | #1,263 | — | — |
| 2013 | 203 | #1,187 | — | — |
| 2012 | 203 | #1,207 | — | — |
| 2011 | 234 | #1,057 | — | — |
| 2010 | 226 | #1,102 | — | — |
| 2009 | 265 | #1,002 | — | — |
| 2008 | 283 | #954 | — | — |
| 2007 | 316 | #883 | — | — |
| 2006 | 355 | #779 | — | — |
| 2005 | 349 | #762 | — | — |
| 2004 | 275 | #886 | — | — |
| 2003 | 316 | #782 | — | — |
| 2002 | 285 | #816 | — | — |
| 2001 | 313 | #764 | — | — |
| 2000 | 310 | #743 | — | — |
| 1995 | 283 | #724 | — | — |
| 1990 | 356 | #628 | — | — |
| 1985 | 451 | #470 | — | — |
| 1980 | 917 | #271 | 6 | #5,793 |
| 1975 | 1,175 | #209 | 9 | #3,760 |
| 1970 | 1,244 | #251 | 5 | #5,001 |
| 1965 | 906 | #295 | — | — |
| 1960 | 937 | #306 | — | — |
| 1955 | 575 | #366 | — | — |
| 1950 | 545 | #329 | — | — |
| 1945 | 493 | #308 | — | — |
| 1940 | 471 | #289 | — | — |
| 1935 | 301 | #364 | — | — |
| 1930 | 178 | #500 | — | — |
| 1925 | 144 | #606 | — | — |
| 1920 | 131 | #626 | — | — |
| 1915 | 288 | #351 | — | — |
| 1910 | 95 | #403 | — | — |
| 1905 | 42 | #533 | — | — |
| 1900 | 55 | #454 | — | — |
| 1895 | 35 | #494 | — | — |
| 1890 | 29 | #485 | — | — |
| 1885 | 5 | #1,109 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Gretchen
- Gretchen Mol Actor · b. 1972
- Gretchen Fraser Skier · 1919–1994
- Gretchen Whitmer Politician · b. 1971
- Gretchen Wilson Singer · b. 1973
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Gretchen in 2025?
Gretchen ranked #4,292 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 33 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Gretchen?
53,837 babies have been named Gretchen in the United States since 1882, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Gretchen most popular?
Gretchen peaked in 1973, when 1,351 newborns received the name.
Is Gretchen a boy or girl name?
Gretchen is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Gretchen rising or falling?
Gretchen is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Gretchen?
Well-known people named Gretchen include Gretchen Mol (actor), Gretchen Fraser (skier), Gretchen Whitmer (politician).