Marita
Marita is a girl's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Drop of the sea, beloved, or bitter; diminutive form of Maria.
Origin and history
Marita is traditionally a diminutive form of Maria or Margaret, commonly used as an independent given name in Spanish, Scandinavian, and German-speaking contexts. It retains the classical meanings associated with Mary, such as drop of the sea or beloved. In the United States, it enjoyed moderate usage in the mid-20th century and remains a rare, vintage choice today.
Popularity in the United States
5,088 babies in the United States have been named Marita since 1880. It ranks #2437 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2033.
States where it is most popular
- PA (22.9 %)
- IL (15.3 %)
- NY (11 %)
- IN (7.6 %)
- OH (7.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 13 |
| 1910-1920 | 198 |
| 1920-1930 | 361 |
| 1930-1940 | 578 |
| 1940-1950 | 773 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,056 |
| 1960-1970 | 787 |
| 1970-1980 | 389 |
| 1980-1990 | 365 |
| 1990-2000 | 224 |
| 2000-2010 | 139 |
| 2010-2019 | 137 |
| 2020-2029 | 68 |
Famous people named Marita
- Marita Koch: Athlete, Olympic Champion
- Marita Lorenz: Author, Historical figure
Nicknames
Mari, Rita
Fun facts
- Marita developed in several European languages as an affectionate pet form of Maria or Margaret before becoming an independent name.
- The name experienced its highest U.S. birth frequency in the 1950s and 1960s before gradually declining into rare usage.