Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Rita
GirlItalian, Spanish· “pearl; short for Margarita”
- Meaning
- pearl; short for Margarita
- Origin
- Italian, Spanish
- Pronunciation
- REE-tuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,287
- US babies 2025
- 174
- Best rank
- #42 (1930)
- Peak year
- 1949
Meaning and origin of Rita
Rita is an Italian and Spanish name that means “pearl; short for Margarita”.
Rita is a short form of Margarita, the Spanish and Italian form of Margaret, which comes from the Greek word for pearl. Saint Rita of Cascia, an Italian nun of the fifteenth century, is widely venerated as a patron of impossible causes. Rita Hayworth, the Hollywood actress, and Rita Moreno, the Puerto Rican performer, are among its famous bearers. The name feels warm, vintage and spirited. It is short and easy to pronounce, and it pairs well with many surnames.
Other spellings with the same sound: Rheta.
Popularity over time
Rita has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 123 different years. Its best national rank was #42 in 1930, and the most babies received it in 1949, when 6,653 were named Rita. In 2025, 174 babies were named Rita, and it ranked #1,287 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #52 in 1920, #56 in 1950, #297 in 1980, #881 in 2000, #1,341 in 2010, and #1,287 in 2025. Of the 284,452 US girls named Rita since records began, 21% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1920s come next, with 50,587 babies. Since 2010, 2,840 more have been named Rita.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Constance, Glenda, and Paulette.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Rita ranked highest in Maryland, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Rita is usually pronounced REE-tuh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with R and ends in “-ta”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Rheta.
Middle names for Rita
A few middle names that flow with Rita: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Rita
Similar names
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Lists that include Rita
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Rita mean?
Rita is an Italian and Spanish name that means “pearl; short for Margarita”.
What is the origin of the name Rita?
Rita has Italian, Spanish, and Greek roots. Rita is a short form of Margarita, the Spanish and Italian form of Margaret, which comes from the Greek word for pearl.
Is Rita a popular name?
Not especially. Rita ranked #1,287 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Rita a boy or girl name?
Rita is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Rita?
Rita is usually pronounced 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