Rita
Girl name · 71 babies recorded · 1974–2025
Rita: 71 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 7 births in 2024.
The name Rita is most familiar as a short form of Margarita, the Spanish and Italian version of Margaret, which traces back to the Greek *margarites*, meaning “pearl.” It also has a separate origin in Sanskrit as a feminine form of *Rita*, meaning “truth” or “brave,” linked to the Vedic concept of cosmic order. Famous bearers include the luminous Hollywood star Rita Hayworth, the legendary Puerto Rican actress and singer Rita Moreno, and Saint Rita of Cascia, a 15th-century Italian nun known as the patron saint of impossible causes—making the name a quiet favourite in Catholic families. While no major towns share the name, its root in Margaret appears in many place names worldwide. A charming variant is the double-barrelled Rita-Margaret, occasionally seen in Scotland. Overall, Rita is a crisp, classic choice with both Mediterranean and ancient Indian depth.
Girl 19 of 52 years
- Peak year
- 20247 babies
- Latest (2025)
- #6324 babies
- Total births
- 71since 1974
- 5-year trend
- ▲ 16%vs prior 5y