Grete

Grete is a female given name widely used in German-speaking regions and in parts of Scandinavia. It is a diminutive form of Margarete or Margareta, ultimately derived from the Greek margarites, meaning “pearl.” The name has several related forms, including Greta, Grethe, Gretel, and Gretchen, with Grete most common in German-speaking areas and among older generations in parts of Scandinavia.

Throughout history the name has enjoyed varying popularity. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Grete was a common name for girls in German-speaking areas; in the Nordic countries, the form Grethe (and Greta) has also been widely used. In contemporary English-speaking countries, Greta is the more common variant, while Grete remains in use in some communities and among families with German or Scandinavian heritage.

Notable people named Grete include Grete Waitz, a Norwegian long-distance runner who achieved international fame for her success in the New York City Marathon, and Grete Mosheim, a German stage and film actress who had an international career in the mid-20th century.