What does Perdita mean?

Perdita as a girls' name is pronounced per-DEE-tah, PER-di-tah. It is of Latin origin, and the meaning of Perdita is "lost". Shakespeare created this name for a young heroine in "The Winter's Tale". As a baby, Perdita was left to die because her father mistakenly believed her to be another man's child. She was rescued by a shepherd, who called her Perdita because she was lost. Though she was later wooed by a prince, their marriage was forbidden because of her supposed lack of pedigree. When her origins were discovered, a happy ending ensued.

STARTS/ENDS WITH Pe-, -ta

ASSOCIATED WITH young, heroine, tale (literary), prince, happy (joy)

Variations

MASCULINE FORM Perdido

How popular is Perdita?

Perdita is an unusual given name for women and an unusual surname too for all people. (2000 U.S. DEMOGRAPHICS)

Similar Names

Recommended sound-alike names are Arnita, Bellita, Berneta, Bernita, Berrta, Bertita (see Bertha), Birkita (see Bridget), Brita, Candita, Carlita, Carmita, Cerrita, Cherita, Corita, Denita, Dorita, Felita, Gerta, Herta, Jenita, Jennita, Judita, Karita, Karlita, Karmita, Larita, Leretta (see Loretta), Lorita, Marcita, Margita, Marita, Martita, Melita, Mendota, Nenita, Paquita, Paradisa, Parisa, Paulita, Pelia, Pelipa, Penina, Pepita, Pera, Perfecta, Peri, Perita, Perline, Perlita, Perpetua, Perri, Perrin, Perrine, Perris, Persia, Persis, Petria, Petrina, Pierina, Portia▼, Purity, Reita, Renita▼, Sarita, Serita, Sherita, Terasita, Teresita, Terezita, Tersita, Venita, Verita, Verneta (see Verna), Vernita and Yudita. These names tend to be more frequently used than Perdita.