Etta

Etta developed as a short form of names ending in etta, including Henrietta and Loretta, and has also been used independently for a long time. Those longer names have different origins, so Etta does not have a universal meaning of “poetry.” Its most accurate explanation depends on whether a particular longer name is part of the family story.

Singer Etta James provides a familiar musical association; her birth name was Jamesetta. The two-syllable form is already compact and does not require further shortening, although Ettie is possible. Parents can choose Etta as the complete name or use it to honor a relative without adopting a longer official form they do not otherwise want.