Rita - Name Meaning and Popularity -

Meaning of Rita

Rita is the kind of name that slips off the tongue like a polished pearl—fitting, since it began as the diminutive of Margarita, the Latin-Greek classic meaning “pearl.” From medieval Italy, where Saint Rita of Cascia became the go-to intercessor for lost causes, to mid-century America, where silver-screen siren Rita Hayworth lent it high-wattage glamour, the name has a knack for shining in unlikely places. Today, Rita lands in that sweet spot between vintage and vibrant: familiar yet uncommon, brisk yet endearing, warm as a summer pop song by Rita Ora. It carries a whisper of Mediterranean sunshine, a dash of Hollywood dazzle, and just enough retro flair to feel fresh again—proof that good things really do come in small, two-syllable packages.