Grethel, of German origin, is an elegant and distinctive given name for females. It is derived from the Germanic elements 'grōd' meaning 'spear' and 'hild' signifying 'battle'. The name was popularized by the Brothers Grimm's fairy tale 'Hansel and Gretel', where Grethel, along with her brother Hansel, navigates a perilous journey through the woods to eventually outsmart a wicked witch. This enchanting origin adds a touch of whimsy and intrigue to the name.
Grethel as a name has had a fluctuating popularity over the past century, with peak years being 1917 (17 births) and 2020 (16 births). The majority of years show fewer than 10 births per year, indicating it was never a highly common name. However, there is a resurgence in recent years, with 2023 seeing another peak at 16 births.