BabyNameLens · Girl names · Boy names

Rita

“Variant of Margaret — Pearl” — Ancient Greek, via Latin and Old French origin

Girl's name · #1285 in the US (2025) · Vintage

Rita has appeared in US records since 1880 — best rank #42 (1930) · 284,452 babies named Rita all-time · 1 in 9,100 girls born in 2025.

Around the world: #3 in Croatia (2025) · #73 in Bosnia (FBiH) (2024) · #83 in Poland (2025).

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 18 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Ritas

• Rita Levi-Montalcini — Italian neurologist (1909–2012)
• Rita Hayworth — American actress (1918–1987)
• Rita Ora — English-Albanian singer and actress
• Rita Moreno — Puerto Rican actress (born 1931)
• Rita Wilson — American actress, singer and producer

In stories & tradition

• Rita Skeeter — Harry Potter · Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
• Rita Bennett — Dexter
• Rita Repulsa — Power Rangers

What Ritas become

Among 2,079 notable people named Rita:

Entertainers appear 1.54× more often than among typical names — e.g. Rita Hayworth, American actress (1918–1987).

Browse more girl names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

Privacy Policy · Terms of Service