Gretchen is a feminine given name of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "grete," which means "pearl." The name was popularized in English-speaking countries through Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's tragic poem "The Sorrows of Young Werther" (1774), in which Gretchen, or Charlotte Buff as she was known in real life, is a central character. In the story, Gretchen falls in love with Werther but ultimately rejects him, leading to his suicide. Despite its tragic associations, the name Gretchen has remained popular and is often associated with beauty, elegance, and timelessness.
Statistics for the given name Gretchen in the United States reveal a somewhat fluctuating pattern over time. Between 1957 and 1980, there were a total of 38 babies named Gretchen born in the U.S., with varying numbers each year.
The years with the highest occurrences were 1974 and 1975, with 8 and 9 births respectively. This suggests that during this period, Gretchen was becoming increasingly popular as a name choice for parents.
However, it is important to note that the number of babies named Gretchen in any given year remained relatively low compared to more common names. For instance, in 1970, there were only 5 births with this name, indicating that Gretchen has been a somewhat uncommon but not entirely rare choice among parents throughout this timeframe.
Overall, these statistics offer insight into the popularity and frequency of the name Gretchen over four decades in the United States. They highlight its consistent, albeit modest, presence during this period.