Etta

Etta is an English diminutive suffix that developed into a standalone given name, derived from the common feminine diminutive ending -etta, itself of Italian and Germanic origin meaning simply "little" or serving as an affectionate diminutive marker. It arose in the nineteenth century primarily as a short form of names ending in -etta or -et, such as Harriet or Henrietta. The American blues and soul singer Etta James helped bring enduring recognition to the name in the twentieth century. Related forms include Eta and the longer names from which it descends, including Henrietta and Harriet.