Rita
pearl (Greek/Latin via Italian diminutive)
Rita is a spanish / other girl name in the Philippines. In the civil registry as of May 2021 it is number 365, with 22,567 records. It has 2 syllables.
Origin and meaning
pearl (Greek/Latin via Italian diminutive)
Rita developed as an Italian diminutive of Margherita (Margaret) and was popularized globally by Saint Rita of Cascia. In the Philippines, it was introduced during the Spanish colonial era as a Catholic Christian name and remains a classic, recognizable female name.
Rita originated as a short form of the Italian name Margherita (from Latin Margarita, derived from Greek margarites meaning 'pearl'). It became widespread throughout the Catholic world and Spanish-speaking countries due to devotion to Saint Rita of Cascia.
Name character
In the Philippines
Frequently given in honor of Santa Rita. Common among older and middle-aged generations, often used as a standalone name or in compound pairings like Maria Rita or Rita Marie.
Related forms
- Rita Italian
- Rita Spanish
- Rita English
- Rita Portuguese
Would your family give Rita?
Mark it if your family would give this first name. The count is for 2026 on this site. It is not the civil registry, and it is not babies registered in 2024. One browser can choose a name once in the year.
No family on this site has marked Rita for 2026 yet.
Rita with common surname pairs
Each pair is a mother's maiden surname plus a father's surname. The number is the sound-fit score for this first name.
Related girl names
About the name Rita
How do I use Rita with two Filipino surnames?
Rita is the given name. The full name is Rita + mother's maiden surname + father's surname. Score a pair from a combination page or the homepage search.
Is Rita a common girl name in the Philippines?
In the civil registry as of May 2021, Rita is number 365, with 22,567 records. That is not the 2024 birth list, and it does not say the name is a better choice. How it sounds with both family surnames is a separate score.