Rita
Rita is a girl's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Pearl.
Origin and history
Rita originated as a short form of the Italian name Margherita, which traces back to the Latin word for pearl. It gained immense popularity in the early to mid-20th century in the United States, aided by famous cultural figures. Today, it remains a classic, recognizable option with a vintage feel.
Popularity in the United States
284,452 babies in the United States have been named Rita since 1880. It ranks #137 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1199.
States where it is most popular
- NY (11.7 %)
- PA (8.7 %)
- IL (6.4 %)
- MA (6.2 %)
- OH (6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 325 |
| 1890-1900 | 1,029 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,992 |
| 1910-1920 | 23,850 |
| 1920-1930 | 50,587 |
| 1930-1940 | 38,741 |
| 1940-1950 | 49,853 |
| 1950-1960 | 60,265 |
| 1960-1970 | 32,883 |
| 1970-1980 | 10,547 |
| 1980-1990 | 6,150 |
| 1990-2000 | 3,221 |
| 2000-2010 | 2,169 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,828 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,012 |
Famous people named Rita
- Rita Hayworth: Actress, Dancer
- Rita Moreno: Actress, Singer
- Rita Ora: Singer, Songwriter
Fun facts
- Rita originated as an abbreviated form of the Italian name Margherita (Margaret).
- The name reached high visibility in popular culture due to iconic actress Rita Hayworth.