Gretel
Gretel is a girls' name of German origin meaning “pearl.” A diminutive of Margarethe, Gretel is immortalized in the Brothers Grimm fairy tale 'Hansel and Gretel.
how do you pronounce Gretel?
GREH-tul
Hear it spoken aloud with our AI pronunciation tool.
what does Gretel mean?
The name Gretel means “pearl.” It comes from the German language tradition.
A diminutive of Margarethe, Gretel is immortalized in the Brothers Grimm fairy tale 'Hansel and Gretel.' The name combines fairy-tale enchantment with down-to-earth German charm. It has recently gained fashion cachet as a retro-chic alternative to Margaret.
who are famous people named Gretel?
- Gretel from Hansel and Gretel (Brothers Grimm fairy tale character)
- Gretel Ehrlich (American travel writer and essayist)
what names are similar to Gretel?
Last reviewed April 30, 2026 · Curated by HushName editorial
love Gretel? get 10 more names curated for your family.
Popularity rankings and meanings are just the starting point. Our AI consultant finds names that match your heritage, style, and what matters most to you.
Completely free. No credit card required.
start free consultation