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Meaning
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Pronunciation
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Gretchen Barretto is a Filipino actress, socialite, and philanthropist.
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Gretchen Fullido is a Filipina anchor and model. She rose to prominence after hosting and having guest appearances on several talk shows, televised competitions and sports events. Fullido is the current anchor for the segment, "Star Patrol" on TV Patrol and under contract with ABS-CBN and TFC.
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Gretchen Bleiler is an American former professional halfpipe snowboarder. She won a silver medal at the 2006 Olympics.
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Gretchen Ho is a Filipino television presenter and former volleyball player. She played collegiate volleyball for the Ateneo Lady Eagles from 2008 to 2013, where she was a member of the "fab five" who brought Ateneo to their first back-to-back UAAP finals appearances (seasons 74 and 75). She then played professionally for the Petron Blaze Spikers in the Philippine Super Liga (PSL) from 2013 to 2015, where she helped the team win the 2014 Grand Prix Conference.
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Gretchen isn't a horrible name. You see people don't give this name the slake and respect it deserves. In fact, this name just looks so unique and expressive. This name is like a fresh cup of water. This name is so pretty. This name is so underrated tho. But still Gretchen isn't a horrible name. People just don't give this name the slake and respect it deserves.
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I used to loathe this name, but I've warmed up to it lots and would consider it now! This is mainly due to the current governor of my state, Gretchen Whitmur. Also, the iconicness of Gretchen Wieners must be mentioned.
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Some people are so harsh about this name. It was my great grandma's name, and now my little sister's. It may be a very old name for a 2015 baby but like- I think it's cute!
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I like this name a lot personally but it reminds me too much of “wretched” which reminds me of these things called “wretches” on a game I played and they’re nasty little alien creatures. I know it’s a big leap but that’s where my mind goes for some reason lol. Still like the name though.
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I lOVEEEE this name. ADORABLE at it's finest.
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My name is Gretchen and I used to hate it so much growing up at times, I still do. I have grown to love my name more now though. I love the meaning. It means pearl. Pearls are beautiful! Gretchen is unique and I like that about my name. However the reason I have hated my name so much in the past and hate it at times...my dad's side of the family is always trying to call me Gretch! I mean I hate it...Gretch! It makes my name so ugly and lazy...you are only cutting 2 letters off on the end.
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It`s an idiotic name tbh.
I am German, and no one, I repeat NO ONE would call his/her daughter "Gretchen".
It`s a very archaic name and a diminutive at that (Greta/Gretl).
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I am German, and no one, I repeat NO ONE would call his/her daughter "Gretchen".
It`s a very archaic name and a diminutive at that (Greta/Gretl).
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I don’t like this name. ”Gr” kinda sounds like ”grrrrrr”, and ”retch” just makes it even worse. And it gives a Gretchen Wieners vibe.
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Not my favorite but I know someone who is young that pulls it off so if paired with the right middle name then maybe it might work, it’s just a little harsh.
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I really don't like the sound of this name. Sorry.
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It's kind of ugly and is bad to say.
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I think, Gretchen is a great and unusual name! Strong look, strong sound, it may seem too harsh sounding, but it really stands out compared to many other names. I like this wonderful name!
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Love this name to death. ♥.
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Personally, I prefer Gretel or Greta to this. Reminds me too much of ‘retch’.
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My birth grandmother's name was Greta, not Gretchen. I prefer Greta to Gretchen. Greta is my sister's middle name, and it sounds more refreshing than Gretchen in my opinion.
I'm from Germany. :)
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I'm from Germany. :)
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Not very attractive.
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My very, very good friend's name is Gretchen. She is super great and lovely. I would recommend everyone to name their daughter's Gretchen. It means pearl in German.
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Gretchen is a main character of the cartoon series "Camp Lakebottom".
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Rough, weird, and ugly name for a girl.
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My name is Gretchen and I used to dislike the name because I was insecure when I was little. All my friends had generic names like Katie or Megan and I felt left out! I would even tell fast food places my name was Sarah or something common when they asked what my name was at checkout. Now I am 22 years old and I love my name. I think I really grew into it over the years. I like being the only one with my name in my group of friends. I like to think of myself as artsy and unique, and I also grew into my confidence over the years. I would not change my name for the world, and I feel that if someone who hated the name met me, the name would eventually grow on them. It is all about the person who holds the name; for example, I personally hate some names because of the pool of people I have met with that name, and I did not like them very much. For mothers considering this name for their baby girls, I would definitely recommend it.
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I love my name Gretchen. Growing up in a Spanish speaking country, it was often difficult for others to spell and pronounce. I’d be rich if I had a dollar for every time I got called Rachel or Gretel. Yet you’d encounter this name very rarely, which is what I love from it, it is not common, yet it is not some made up name. My mother chose it very carefully, as she’s always hated her own name and didn’t wish me to struggle my whole life with a name I didn’t like. I must say, I wouldn’t trade it for any name.
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I actually chose this as my own name. Picking a new name for oneself is a horribly daunting task, and it took over a year to come to a decision. I looked at names that were popular the year I was born (1972). While Gretchen was pretty far down the list, I’m from Minnesota, where this name is *much* more popular, so I grew up and went to college with a fair number of Gretchen’s. (In fact, I briefly met Gretchen Carlson, the news woman, when we were both little kids in the Twin Cities).
I can’t say exactly why this name seemed to fit me best; probably an amalgamation of all the Gretchens I have met, combined with the feel of it. I think it is beautiful, but a little austere. I didn’t realize it would be quite so rare once I moved to the west coast - I sure get a lot of comments on it!
I do dislike when people shorten it to “Gretch”; I think I’ll take another commenter’s advice and push for “Grettie”, or perhaps the actual adult German name ”Grete”.
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I can’t say exactly why this name seemed to fit me best; probably an amalgamation of all the Gretchens I have met, combined with the feel of it. I think it is beautiful, but a little austere. I didn’t realize it would be quite so rare once I moved to the west coast - I sure get a lot of comments on it!
I do dislike when people shorten it to “Gretch”; I think I’ll take another commenter’s advice and push for “Grettie”, or perhaps the actual adult German name ”Grete”.
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I have this name. And let me say, I absolutely hate it. I came here looking for nicknames I could use, and possibly a pretty meaning behind the name that would make me feel more confident, but instead I see people saying it is the worst name and it is ugly. And now I want to change my name more.
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I think it's one of the most beautiful names there are. I don't know why it has a reputation as an "ugly" name, I think it's very pretty.
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This name was popular when I was a teen in the Seventies. The name Gretchen always made me think of a girl with long, thick, yellow-gold braids. Kind of like the name Heidi, also German.
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In Germany Gretchen is a nickname for Margharete but is only used as a child's name.
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Gretchen Wretched.
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Gretchen was the real name of American actress Loretta Young.
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This is one of the most beautiful names, I adore it! It has many consonants and it has a very strong sound. Kriemhild Gretchen is the name of an awesome witch from Madoka Magica.
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Gretchen is my given name, and I have to say I agree with many of the comments- both negative and positive- expressed in this forum. In my experience, it's been a challenging name to have, and ironically, though it's considered a diminutive, I really think it's one you need to grow into. However, I've never been tempted to change it, even through the challenges (misspellings and mispronunciations, etc.) or the appeal of nicknames, e.g., Greta, which I eventually asked my own parents to stop calling me since it's not my given name. It's a strong name for sure, which is something I've come to appreciate about it. And, as others have pointed out, it really does come down to personal taste. Still, I'd prefer to take the view of the individual who posted, "It reminds me of Gingerbread Houses, Nursery Rhymes and Fairy Tales. Or blonde girls with milkmaid braids in the Swiss alps. I just think it's one of the coolest names in existence, plus it's fairly uncommon."
Agreed!
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Agreed!
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Personally, I think it's best for it to be a nickname, even if it sounds more like a full name in english.
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Gretchen Elizabeth Carlson is an American television commentator and author. Carlson was crowned the 1989 Miss America while representing her native state of Minnesota. She graduated from Stanford University with honors before embarking on a career in television. Gaining experience as anchor and reporter for several local network affiliates, she joined CBS News as a correspondent in 2000 and became the co-host of the Saturday edition of The Early Show. In 2005, she moved to Fox News Channel and became the co-host of the morning show Fox & Friends along with Steve Doocy and Brian Kilmeade. In 2013, she announced her departure from Fox & Friends and soon thereafter launched a new program called The Real Story with Gretchen Carlson. Her autobiography, Getting Real, was published in 2015 by Viking.
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Gretchen is the mother of transman Thammy Miranda. She is also the aunt (by marriage) of the singer, model and short-term adult actress Íris Caroline de Mello (known artistically as Carol Miranda. Her sisters Sula and Lara are also in the music business.
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Gretchen Frances Wilson is an American country music artist. She made her debut in 2004 with the Grammy Award-winning single "Redneck Woman," a number-one hit on the Billboard country charts. The song served as the lead-off single of her debut album, Here for the Party. Wilson followed this album one year later with All Jacked Up, the title track of which became the highest-debuting single for a female country artist upon its 2005 release. A third album, One of the Boys, was released in 2007.
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My name is Gretchen. When I was young - elementary school age, my teacher gave me the nickname of "Grettie" which I still use with "special" people in my life. By the time I was a teen and even into my twenties, I hated it. People would shorten it to "Gretch" or worse yet "Gretchie". As an adult, I have come across a few other people with the name "Gretchen". One was my team supervisor. I was the first person she had ever met with the same name. Now I am in my 40's. I absolutely love my name. What changed my thinking - my name is RARE! Very few people have my name. And okay a Russian co-worker with her accent pronounces it "Grashin" with a long A sound. That helped a lot - making the sound "chen" softer.
Please note - I knew a Sheppard named Gretchen - a friend named her very stubborn nanny goat Gretchen (and yes she said she was purposefully naming her after me). My daughter wanted to name her pet rabbit Gretchen. (this we nixed).
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Please note - I knew a Sheppard named Gretchen - a friend named her very stubborn nanny goat Gretchen (and yes she said she was purposefully naming her after me). My daughter wanted to name her pet rabbit Gretchen. (this we nixed).
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If my username doesn't clue you in, my 2 year old's name is Gretchen. I have always loved it, yet I was a bit afraid to use it because of it's "crunchiness", and because the only Gretchens I ever knew were mean. But I figured, why let those girls ruin a name I love? I have gotten nothing but positive feedback. And since its origins are German, that makes it GERMAN IN ORIGIN. But Americans are fortunate enough to use names from all over and make them OURS; You know, since Gretchen "isn't a real name" in Germany. The funny thing is, the biggest reason it SOUNDS German is because it resembles the German language... barking and phlegm hocking. Should my daughter travel to Germany, as I have, I'm sure she will have enough confidence in herself to not let other's opinion of her name bother her.
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This name is borderline ugly. I mean this with every respect to anyone with this name, but it just sounds awful and the name Gretchen is cringe worthy. It has a pretty meaning (little pearl) but it reminds me of an ugly old hag. Also Gretchen from mean girls isn't the best association which is where I first heard this name. Sorry if I have offended anyone but there are so many pretty girl names to use and Gretchen isn't one of them.
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The name Gretchen was given to 160 girls born in the US in 2015.
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My name is Gretchen, and I absolutely love my name. My family is German, and my grandfather wanted to give me a German name. My parents gave me the name Gretchen, and I'm glad they did because I love the name Gretchen!
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Whether this is a nice name or not is a boring question: it is obviously a matter of taste.
The point that I would like to make - as a German native speaker - is that it is not really a name. More specifically, it is a common misunderstanding that it is a German name. It is not. It is an old-fashioned nickname for "Grete" or "Greta", which both are actual names (who had both been fiercely uncommon until recently in the German-speaking region). "Gretchen" means "small Grete". As most people are aware of, it made it into popular consciousness simply because Goethe used it as long ago as 1806 for a figure in a play.
Please be aware that does not quite have the same connotation as an abbreviation like "Nick" for "Nicolas". It would as such really be used for children *only* - and even that use is very much out of fashion.
So everybody naming a person "Gretchen" should be aware that it definitely sounds ridiculous to every German native speaker. So if this person should be expected to have an international lifestyle and move around, it does not sound like too a good idea to name a child like that. This seems particularly relevant if people have to smile at the name in a chunk of Europe that embodies >150 million people.
Think about it.
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The point that I would like to make - as a German native speaker - is that it is not really a name. More specifically, it is a common misunderstanding that it is a German name. It is not. It is an old-fashioned nickname for "Grete" or "Greta", which both are actual names (who had both been fiercely uncommon until recently in the German-speaking region). "Gretchen" means "small Grete". As most people are aware of, it made it into popular consciousness simply because Goethe used it as long ago as 1806 for a figure in a play.
Please be aware that does not quite have the same connotation as an abbreviation like "Nick" for "Nicolas". It would as such really be used for children *only* - and even that use is very much out of fashion.
So everybody naming a person "Gretchen" should be aware that it definitely sounds ridiculous to every German native speaker. So if this person should be expected to have an international lifestyle and move around, it does not sound like too a good idea to name a child like that. This seems particularly relevant if people have to smile at the name in a chunk of Europe that embodies >150 million people.
Think about it.
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Gretchen from Camp Lakebottom.
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I'm pregnant, and this name is at the top of our list for girl names. I love it. My husband's great aunt was named Gretchen, and she was so lovely. I have only known a few Gretchens in my life, but they were all strong, successful, and lovely women. I always thought this is a strong name for a confident girl. Love it! I mean, let's face it, it's MUCH better than a white-trashy name like Rhylee or Braxton.
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I f@£! Ing love this name. I will name one of my future daughters Gretchen, It reminds me of Gingerbread Houses, Nursery Rhymes and Fairy Tales. Or blonde girls with milkmaid braids in the swiss alps. I just think it's one of the coolest names in existence, plus it's fairly uncommon.
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One of the ugliest names I ever heard.
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Gretchen does sound like the character from the cartoon. But it's also the name of the country singer Gretchen Wilson. But I don't know... It sounds dorky to me.
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It's really not a harsh sounding name. I think you just have to fit it. My friend is named Gretchen, and she fits it perfectly. It's very unique and original. I can see why some people picture old ladies and freaky girls when they think of "Gretchen", but if you actually know someone with this name it's different.
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Gretchen Weiners from Mean Girls!
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I really cant believe how popular this name is! The 'retch' sound is awful, makes me think of throwing up.. Sorry!
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The name Gretchen was given to 201 baby girls born in the US in 2012.
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Kinda sounds like an old, mean hag. No offence, but you better find a nickname!
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This is the ugliest girls' name of all! It sounds so hideous and disgusting, like the name of a mean old woman. I don't get why some people think Gretchen is so cute - it isn't! Please, something else would be better!
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I'm named Gretchen and I am neither blonde nor dumb. I really don't think it's an ugly name. With a name like Gretchen you must carry yourself with confidence because it is a strong name. There is no 'retch' sound either. I pronounce it like 'gret-chin'. People call me 'Gret' or 'Grettie'. I'm German as well.
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I think Gretchen is a name that only a really attractive girl/woman can get away with.
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One of the ugliest names out there. The "Gr" is a bad start, and then there's that "Retch" sound in the middle. It sounds ugly in German, too. It makes me think of either a bitter frizzy-haired brat or a dumb dyed-blond stripper. Say no to this name.
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Gretchen is a wretched name.
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Unless used in a German speaking country this name best be left untouched. For English speaking countries (certainly the United States) it bears too much resemblance to the word "Wretch." Of course, another reason would be lead to the fact that it is not very pleasurable to our ears, in terms of pronunciation and overall spoken sound.
If used correct context, I do not see why it could not be acceptable.
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If used correct context, I do not see why it could not be acceptable.
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Whenever anyone asks for my least favorite name, this is the first one that pops up in my mind. I absolutely loathe this name. It sounds absolutely hideous. Gretchen reminds me of a too tall weedy girl with a bad sense of hygiene and horrible acne. Also large 1980s glasses. It's just... all very unpleasant. Gag worthy. I've gone on long enough, but I could actually keep going with how much this name rubs me the wrong way. I do, however, like Greta.
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Very harsh. If you want something old fashioned, try something sweeter, like Estelle or Edith.
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I don't like this name, it sounds too harsh.
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Too bad the English pronunciation isn't very nice, it does sound very lovely if you say it in German.
I don't agree that it sounds like "GRET-khen" though (and certainly not Gretken!). Yes it is difficult to describe the -chen sound because it does not exist in English - but I will try!
The first part sounds kind of like the English word Gray.
The second part as if you said "tee-yen" very quickly. (You know how the English word Queen is made out of the sound kə-ween? You say it just that fast.)
So altogether it sounds kind of like GRAY-teeyen.
Sorry if this was confusing. You might be better off just going to the link that was posted above.
Hope it helped! Please correct me if I am wrong. My mother speaks German and lived in North-West Germany so the accent might be different.
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I don't agree that it sounds like "GRET-khen" though (and certainly not Gretken!). Yes it is difficult to describe the -chen sound because it does not exist in English - but I will try!
The first part sounds kind of like the English word Gray.
The second part as if you said "tee-yen" very quickly. (You know how the English word Queen is made out of the sound kə-ween? You say it just that fast.)
So altogether it sounds kind of like GRAY-teeyen.
Sorry if this was confusing. You might be better off just going to the link that was posted above.
Hope it helped! Please correct me if I am wrong. My mother speaks German and lived in North-West Germany so the accent might be different.
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This is my Aunt's name, given to her because my Grandfather is from Germany. They pronounce it "GRETCH-en" though. And her nickname is "Gret". Because she is my favorite aunt (Shh, don't tell the others!) I do like this name but I don't think I would actually use it.
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I've met two grown women with this name, both white and blond. So in my mind this is officially the blondest name besides Brandy. But Gretchen would be the blond name of the 1960's, Brandy the blond name of 1980's.
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That name always reminds me of retched.
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I used to hate this name, but over the years it has really grown on me. I love the sound of it and it is very unique in America, but I could never name my child this- the sound is too different for me.
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My mum was going to call me Gretchen (i.e. Gretch-en), and I hated the idea, but now, having seen the German pronunciation I'm warming to it.
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I hate this name! It's so ugly, harsh, and old fashioned.
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This name is quite harsh sounding, and the word retch makes it even worse.
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This name isn't used as a given name in Germany. It's of German origin but has hardly ever been used in Germany and never as a full name. Gretchen is a nickname for Margarethe (German form of Margaret) and Margaretha. Even the name of the "Faust" character was Margarethe. Gretchen is just her nickname. Read the book and you'll see. In Germany this name is quite outdated. It is difficult to explain how to pronounce it in German but it is way different than you would pronounce it in English. The Gret-part is pronounced "Grayt" (kind of), not "Grett" and the -chen part is pronounced with a sound that English speakers can't make because it doesn't even exist in the English language. I agree this name is kind of cute but it's nickname and you are able to find much nicer German names. The "Faust" character wasn't exactly what I'd call inspiring plus she died in the book.
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Yikes. This name scares me. Every time I think of it, the image of a cat-obsessed old lady pops up. Users beware.
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For German speakers, this name is quite infantile, as it is the diminutive, rather little girl-ey form of Greta. In English, it sounds quite weird, and it does have the ''retch'' to it in many people's pronunciation. It should actually be pronounced with a long 'e' sound in the first syllable.
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If you prefer the German pronunciation, why not try Gretken? Gretchen sounds like some kind of ugly machine noise or the classic witch depiction. Just thinking aloud, not insulting people.
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If I ever named my daughter Gretchen I would call her Gretta.
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A bit ridiculous as a full name. I do believe most are unaware of how informal it is. Not fit for a human, better for a cat or dog.
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German pronunciation is "grechen".
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I think this a classic, cute, wonderful name. I don't think "wretch" at all. I have taught 2 Gretchens and they were both smart, spunky, happy girls. I think I might use this name for a future little girl. The meaning "little pearl" is a great one too.
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My sister got this name because the doctor who delivered her talked my parents into it. She said that none of her patients wanted to give their daughters her name. Hmmm. I wonder why? My poor sister deserved a better name! Shame on the doctor and on my parents for listening to her!
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One of my favorite names, and should be used more!
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I think this is such an ugly name! It's even worse with the English/American pronunciation GRECH-en. Sounds like retching. I just cannot understand how anyone could like it!
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Gretchen is actually a pretty cool name for me. It's very cool and unique, but not rising in popularity like Emma. And, I think a cool nickname for Gretchen is Greta.
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Name her Margaret and call her Gretchen, or Meg, or Maggie or whatever seems to suit her when she gets older.
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I hate the English pronunciation, it sounds terrible, but the German one is lovely.
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I had a history teacher who only used her initial and last name on things. Some of the kids asked what "G" could possibly stand for, and she only revealed it was "Gretchen" when they settled on "Greta." (This was in the U. S.) Personally, I have always thought it a beautiful name. Apparently my mother likes it as well, as she gave it to one of her guinea pigs.
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This is one of my favorite names. I love it!
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German pronunciation: GREHT-khen (note: 'kh' is not the exact pronunciation here but it is the closest you can get to the German 'ch') [noted -ed]
This name is not very popular in Germany today. It is still known to people through Goethe's 'Faust' but it is considered old fashioned.
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This name is not very popular in Germany today. It is still known to people through Goethe's 'Faust' but it is considered old fashioned.
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Gorgeous nickname. For people who think it ugly - LEARN HOW TO PRONOUNCE IT RIGHT! There is NO "retch" sound in Gretchen.
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I agree with the Anonymous User above. The German pronunciation is nicer.
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One of my best friend's name is Gretchen. I really like this name! It fits her personality perfect! Funny, smart, and awesome!
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Gretchen Weiner is a character in the movie Mean Girls!
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Gretchen Ross is the name of the character played by Jena Malone in Donnie Darko.
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Gretchen Wilson is a popular musician in the US.
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Gretchen is also the name of a character in Goethe's Faust. One of her questions in the piece is famous as "Gretchenfrage". That means crucial question. Still, the name is not common.
I don`t like the name personally, because of the very hard "r" (I'm German, too).
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I don`t like the name personally, because of the very hard "r" (I'm German, too).
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I love the name Gretchen. I never really liked it much until I read the book 'Hairstyles of the Damned' by Joe Meno, and one of the main characters was named Gretchen. That's a really great book and Gretchen is a really awesome name. It's sort of unusual, which is cool.
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Just an ugly name!
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I think this name is ugly. It's so harsh sounding, I hope people don't name their children this, it's horrible.
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I'm not German, but my grandmother loved the name Gretchen. So, since she didn't get to name my sister, she named me Gretchen. I have learned to love the uniqueness of it.
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I honestly think that Gretchen is the perfect name for a little girl or an adult. It means "little pearl" and no matter how big you get you will always be a little pearl for the parents. My name is Gretchen and I am not german but I am very proud of having a German name, even though I am hispanic. It is a very unique name and calls peoples attention. You would be lucky to have this name.
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This is the name of the smart girl in the cartoon Recess. Personally I don't like this name.
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Gretchen is a cute name, though only for a little girl I think. It doesn't really fit adults. I also don't like how English-speakers pronounce it, because it sounds as if they had a hair ball stuck in their throat.
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I'm primarily German, and Dutch from both sides of my Family. And I'm so glad to see someone made a comment on a German name! It seems to me that German names get excluded.
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It is a cute name. I'm very fond German names too. I'm half German.
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Finally, someone makes a comment on a German name. I'm rather fond of German names. I'm also German, so that could explain it. This IS a cute name, especially for a person who's smart!
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I think that Gretchen is a really cute name.
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