Bertha
Bertha: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈbɝθə/ · /ˈbɜːθə/
Meaning and origin of Bertha
Root meaning: “bright one”
- A female given name from the Germanic languages.
Etymology
Definitely from Old English Berþa as a result of metathesis of h, from earlier Old English Berhte (“bright one”), influence of Latin Bercta. Alternatively, from Old High German berhta (“bright one”), which was an epithet of the goddess Frigg.
How popular is Bertha?
Since 1880, 207,870 girls and 937 boys in the U.S. have been named Bertha (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #7 in 1883. Its highest rank for boys was #492 in 1900. In 2025, 30 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Bertha
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Germanic girl names
Sibling name ideas for Bertha
Sister and brother names that share Bertha's Germanic roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Bertha FAQ
What does the name Bertha mean?
Bertha traces back to a root meaning "bright one". A female given name from the Germanic languages. Definitely from Old English Berþa as a result of metathesis of h, from earlier Old English Berhte (“bright one”), influence of Latin Bercta. Alternatively, from Old High German berhta (“bright one”), which was an epithet of the goddess Frigg.
What is the origin of the name Bertha?
Bertha is listed as a name of Germanic origin.
How popular is the name Bertha?
Since 1880, 207,870 girls and 937 boys in the U.S. have been named Bertha (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #7 in 1883. Its highest rank for boys was #492 in 1900. In 2025, 30 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Bertha a boy or girl name?
Bertha is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 207,870 girls and 937 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.