I am artist and a Disney fan so when I recently read about [name_f]Retta[/name_f] [name_m]Scott[/name_m], the first woman to break into the “boy’s club” that was Disney Studios in the 1930’s as their first female animator, I thought was a great namesake and role model for a daughter! (And a great tribute as well to my great grandmother [name_f]Loretta[/name_f]!) But when I researched it, I was surprised to find so little on this once fairly common name! Now, I love unique names- I’ve fallen in love with names like [name_f]Maeve[/name_f], [name_u]Ruby[/name_u], and [name_f]Hazel[/name_f]- but they are more recognizable or at least becoming so. And I kind of prefer it that way! What are your thoughts on [name_f]Retta[/name_f]? TOO obscure? Too unknown for modern day?? What do you think?
I like it actually, not too girly, and the nn [name_u]Ren[/name_u] is cute.
[name_f]Retta[/name_f] [name_f]Maeve[/name_f] or [name_f]Retta[/name_f] [name_m]Wyatt[/name_m] look cute together
I quite like [name_f]Retta[/name_f] and it’s my favourite nickname for [name_f]Harriet[/name_f]. I too like that it’s one of the less used of the vintage style names. It has a strong yet streamlined presence. I prefer it over [name_f]Etta[/name_f] and [name_f]Ettie[/name_f].
I don’t think it’s too weird!
It feels slightly dated but I think if I ever met a little girl called [name_f]Retta[/name_f] I would find the name very pretty, and the namesake is a great bonus!
I do prefer it as a nickname and I like @araminty’s idea of using it as a nickname for [name_f]Harriet[/name_f], but it could also stand on its own.
My go to association is the actress [name_f]Retta[/name_f], who is of course great. She just goes by [name_f]Retta[/name_f], no last name, so the association is a strong one for me. I wonder if you would want to use [name_f]Loretta[/name_f] as an honor name, with the plan to use [name_f]Retta[/name_f] as the regular nickname.
I love [name_f]Retta[/name_f]. If this baby was a girl she was most likely going to be [name_f]Coretta[/name_f] and my favorite nickname option was [name_f]Retta[/name_f]! Though it’s really uncommon I don’t think it comes across as strange at all.
I love [name_f]Retta[/name_f]! Not too strange at all. Strong, spunky, gorgeous 
I would likely use it as a nickname for [name_f]Marietta[/name_f]. I also like the previous ideas of [name_f]Coretta[/name_f] and [name_f]Harriet[/name_f]. But I think [name_f]Retta[/name_f] works as a standalone, too!
I think it is really pretty, it reminds me of the character from Nashville so it doesnt seem uncommon, and also has country connotations to me. I love the male counterpart, [name_m]Rhett[/name_m], also.
I really like [name_f]Retta[/name_f]! The actress comes to mind, and she’s another great association (in my opinion) as she’s hilarious, strong, and overall wonderful.
I think [name_f]Retta[/name_f] is sweet and spunky. It’d make a nice nn (some great suggestions from other posters!) but I also think it makes a great first name.
I [name_f]ADORE[/name_f] your reasoning! I don’t find it weird or obscure at all. It does remind me of actress [name_f]Retta[/name_f] but she’s great, no bad association there- and she’s not so well known that people won’t be able to shake association (like, say, if you named your baby [name_f]Shakira[/name_f].) I love [name_f]Retta[/name_f] on its own and I think your reasoning makes it even better! I do not find it too nicknamey at all.
While I personally prefer [name_f]Etta[/name_f], [name_f]Retta[/name_f] makes for a sweet, quirky name and a lovely honoring. However I always recommend giving a child a full name with a nn option (speaking from personal experience). Perhaps [name_f]Coretta[/name_f]? Nn [name_f]Retta[/name_f], [name_f]Etta[/name_f], [name_f]Cora[/name_f], [name_f]Corie[/name_f], etc? Then she has the option to choose her favorite without losing any of the charm and inspiration you love.
I’d never heard the name [name_f]Retta[/name_f] before, I’d assume it was a nickname for something longer.
Would you consider that?
Thanks for the great feedback! [name_m]Even[/name_m] though I think I love it best as a short but sweet full name, I do like the idea of making it a nickname for a longer name so she has more choices. As long as it still seems like a fitting tribute… [name_f]Coretta[/name_f], [name_f]Loretta[/name_f], maybe even [name_f]Rosetta[/name_f]? I would love to use the family name [name_f]Loretta[/name_f] but I just can’t picture that on a kindergarten name tag!