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Etta

Girl name · 66 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Etta: 66 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 9 births in 2018.

A spirited diminutive with a strong, independent air, Etta began life as a short form of longer names like Henrietta or, in Scotland, the Gaelic-inspired Eithne, meaning "kernel" or "grain." It found its most famous voice in the legendary blues singer Etta James, whose raw power made the name synonymous with soul. The name also belonged to Etta Baker, a masterful Piedmont blues guitarist, and Etta Lemon, a British campaigner who co-founded what became the RSPB. While no major cities bear the name directly, the Etta Place in Montana shares its name with the mysterious outlaw often linked to Butch Cassidy. In recent years, Etta has enjoyed a quiet revival in Scotland, partly thanks to the film *Love & Mercy*, which featured a character named Etta—a modern echo of an old-fashioned gem.