Meta

Meta is a female first name that is commonly used in Germany and Scandinavia as a short form of Margarete and means 'the pearl'. The roots of the name lie in the Ancient Greek term margarites, which also means 'pearl'.

What does the name Meta mean?

Meta is often used as a short form of Margarete and means 'the pearl'. The name traces back to the Ancient Greek margarites. In the Lithuanian spelling Mėta, however, it means 'the mint'. Meta was widely used in Germany at the beginning of the 20th century but later fell into obscurity. Recently, the name has seen sporadic use again.

Where does the name Meta come from?

The name Meta, as a short form of Margarete, derives from the Latin word margarita, which has its origin in the Ancient Greek margarites, which in turn has Persian roots. Ancient Greek: margarites = pearl, Latin: margarita = pearl, Lithuanian: mėta = mint. The name is common in languages such as Danish, German, Lithuanian, Swedish, and other Scandinavian languages.

How do you pronounce Meta?

The name Meta has a clear, two-syllable sound. In German pronunciation, it is usually pronounced as 'Me-ta' [ˈmeːta], with the first syllable stressed on the long 'e', giving the name a certain brightness. The open 'a' at the end provides a harmonious sound. Meta appears simple and traditional, with a calm and matter-of-fact character.

When is the name day of Meta?

The most important name day for Meta, as a short form of Margarete, is July 20, when Saint Margareta of Antiochia is commemorated.

Popularity

In Germany, the girl's name Meta ranked mostly between 40 and 100 from 1880 to 1916. For some years, it was in the top 40 to 50, but it never reached the top ranks. Even in the 1920s, the name mostly remained in the top 50 to 100. In 1921, it briefly returned to the top 60, but a declining trend was already evident. From 1930 onwards, Meta completely disappeared from relevant rankings.

Nicknames & pet names

Me / Mee / Met / Meta-Line / Metapher / Metchen / Methan / Meti / Metti

Famous people

• Hedwig Emma Meta Heinrich (German actress)
• Meta Alexander (1924–1999, German physician)
• Meta Antenen (Swiss athlete)
• Meta Brevoort (American mountaineer, actually Margaret Claudia Brevoort)
• Meta Bünger (theater actress from Germany)
• Meta Diestel (singer from Germany)
• Meta Forkel-Liebeskind (German writer)
• Meta Golding (American actress)
• Meta Gottschalk (actress)
• Meta Heusser-Schweizer (Swiss writer)
• Meta Hrovat (Slovak skier)
• Meta Illing (German theater actress)
• Meta Kusar (poet from Slovenia)
• Meta Menz (ballet dancer from Germany)
• Meta Merz (Austrian writer)
• Meta Muscat (German painter)
• Meta Niederkorn (Austrian historian)
• Meta Orred (British writer)
• Meta Quarck-Hammerschlag (German women's rights activist)
• Meta Scheele (German writer)