Reta
Every Reta since 1880 — 8,616 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Reta
Reta is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1880, 8,616 American babies have been named Reta. Its peak came in 1946, when 192 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1940s.
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 Reta stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Reta year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | 6 | #12,534 |
| 1985 | 5 | #12,008 |
| 1980 | 17 | #4,470 |
| 1975 | 19 | #3,609 |
| 1970 | 33 | #2,343 |
| 1965 | 43 | #1,733 |
| 1960 | 80 | #1,226 |
| 1955 | 175 | #716 |
| 1950 | 166 | #663 |
| 1945 | 127 | #653 |
| 1940 | 156 | #553 |
| 1935 | 176 | #476 |
| 1930 | 170 | #517 |
| 1925 | 161 | #564 |
| 1920 | 172 | #544 |
| 1915 | 132 | #562 |
| 1910 | 54 | #563 |
| 1905 | 37 | #578 |
| 1900 | 32 | #632 |
| 1895 | 28 | #574 |
| 1890 | 15 | #717 |
| 1885 | 5 | #1,169 |
| 1880 | 5 | #921 |
Famous people named Reta
- Reta Shaw Actor · 1912–1982
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Reta in 2025?
Reta did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Reta?
8,616 babies have been named Reta in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Reta most popular?
Reta peaked in 1946, when 192 newborns received the name.
Is Reta a boy or girl name?
Reta is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Reta rising or falling?
Reta has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Reta?
Well-known people named Reta include Reta Shaw (actor).