Rita - Name Meaning and Origin

The girl's name Rita \r(i)-ta\ is pronounced REE-tah. Short form of Margarita (Spanish), from Margaret (Greek) "pearl". Use in Hindi is from Sanskrit, meaning "right". First used as an independent name a few hundred years ago. The Italian Saint Rita (15th century) has roses for her emblem. Actresses Rita Hayworth, Rita Moreno; authors Rita Mae Brown, Rita Dove.

Rita has 7 variant forms: Reeta, Reita, Rheeta, Rida, Riet, Rieta and Ritta.

For more information, see also related names Alvarita and Reta.

Baby names that sound like Rita are Ruta, Retha, Reida, Rheta, Reda, Retta, Roda and Ruth.

Rita is a very popular female first name and a very popular surname (source: 1990 U.S. Census). Displayed below is the baby name popularity trend for the girl's name Rita. Click here to compare Rita with related baby names.