Nita
Nita is a girl's name of Indigenous American origin.
Meaning
Bear (in Choctaw) or thread/leader (in Sanskrit).
Origin and history
Nita is traditionally derived from the Choctaw word for bear, while also serving as a diminutive for names ending in '-nita' in Spanish and Hindi contexts. It enjoyed steady mid-century popularity in the United States but has become a rare, vintage choice today.
Popularity in the United States
14,268 babies in the United States have been named Nita since 1880. It ranks #1317 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2050.
States where it is most popular
- TX (22.5 %)
- CA (7.5 %)
- OK (7 %)
- LA (7 %)
- IL (4.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 95 |
| 1890-1900 | 279 |
| 1900-1910 | 344 |
| 1910-1920 | 838 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,483 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,728 |
| 1940-1950 | 2,377 |
| 1950-1960 | 3,451 |
| 1960-1970 | 2,034 |
| 1970-1980 | 764 |
| 1980-1990 | 347 |
| 1990-2000 | 200 |
| 2000-2010 | 158 |
| 2010-2019 | 119 |
| 2020-2029 | 51 |
Famous people named Nita
- Nita Talbot: Actress
- Nita Ambani: Philanthropist, Business executive
- Nita Lowey: Politician
Fun facts
- While widely recognized as a Choctaw name meaning bear, Nita also independently exists as a diminutive in Spanish and a modern given name in India.
- The name reached its highest usage in the United States during the mid-20th century before turning into a rare vintage selection.