Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Marita
GirlSpanish, Scandinavian· “diminutive of Maria”
- Meaning
- diminutive of Maria
- Origin
- Spanish, Scandinavian
- Pronunciation
- muh-REE-tuh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #6,732
- US babies 2025
- 17
- Best rank
- #769 (1938)
- Peak year
- 1954
Meaning and origin of Marita
Marita is a Spanish and Scandinavian name that is usually said to mean “diminutive of Maria”.
Marita is a diminutive of Maria used in Spanish and in the Nordic countries. Maria is the Latin form of Mary, from the Hebrew Miryam, whose original meaning is uncertain; suggestions include bitter, beloved and wished-for child, and none is settled. The -ita ending is a standard Spanish diminutive, giving the sense of little Maria, while in Scandinavia Marita has been used as an independent name. It has a warm, lilting sound and is easy to say in most languages. In English it is said muh-REE-tuh. Rita and Mari are natural nicknames, and Marisa and Maritza are close relatives.
Popularity over time
Marita first appears in US Social Security records in 1901. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 23 different years, starting in 1932. Its best national rank was #769 in 1938, and the most babies received it in 1954, when 125 were named Marita. In 2025, 17 babies were named Marita, and it ranked #6,732 nationally. That is 42% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #1,606 in 1920, #1,014 in 1950, #2,234 in 1980, #5,614 in 2000, #7,765 in 2010, and #6,732 in 2025. Of the 5,088 US girls named Marita since records began, 21% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 787 babies. Since 2010, 205 more have been named Marita.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Nancie, Joette, Bernita, Valinda, and Laurene.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Marita is usually pronounced muh-REE-tuh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with M and ends in “-ta”.
Middle names for Marita
A few middle names that flow with Marita: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Marita
Similar names
Sarita Girl
suh-REE-tuh
“little Sara; Sanskrit 'river'” · Spanish
#6,281
Anita Girl
uh-NEE-tuh
“little Ana; grace” · Spanish
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Benita Girl
buh-NEE-tuh
“blessed” · Spanish
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Bonita Girl
boh-NEE-tuh
“pretty” · Spanish
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Aleta Girl
uh-LEE-tuh
“uncertain; possibly from Alethea, truth” · Spanish
#15,044
Juanita Girl
wah-NEE-tuh
“God is gracious” · Spanish
#2,794
Lupita Girl
loo-PEE-tuh
“pet form of Guadalupe” · Spanish
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Jacinta Girl
juh-SIN-tuh
“hyacinth” · Spanish
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Rita Girl
REE-tuh
“pearl; short for Margarita” · Italian
#1,287
Margarita Girl
mahr-guh-REE-tuh
“pearl” · Spanish
#1,893
Marta Girl
MAHR-tuh
“form of Martha, lady” · Spanish
#2,056
Carmelita Girl
kahr-muh-LEE-tuh
“little Carmel, garden” · Spanish
#7,566
Lists that include Marita
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Marita mean?
Marita is a Spanish and Scandinavian name that is usually said to mean “diminutive of Maria”.
What is the origin of the name Marita?
Marita has Spanish, Scandinavian, and Hebrew roots. Marita is a diminutive of Maria used in Spanish and in the Nordic countries.
Is Marita a popular name?
Not especially. Marita ranked #6,732 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Marita a boy or girl name?
Marita is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Marita?
Marita is usually pronounced muh-REE-tuh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings