Holding steady.
Popularity of Anitra since 1923
Babies named Anitra per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 12 |
| 1930s | 33 |
| 1940s | 74 |
| 1950s | 176 |
| 1960s | 329 |
| 1970s | 2,489 |
| 1980s | 735 |
| 1990s | 390 |
| 2000s | 116 |
| 2010s | 25 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Anitra is a rare and evocative name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1923, likely inspired by the character from Henrik Ibsen's 1867 play 'Peer Gynt.' Though its origins are uncertain, the name carries a graceful, exotic charm. It reached its highest usage in 1976, when it was given to a few hundred baby girls, and since then its trajectory has remained stable, with only occasional births in recent years. Unlike many names from the 1970s, Anitra has not experienced a revival, and it remains an uncommon choice for parents seeking a distinctive literary name.
Anitra first appeared in English-speaking records in the 1920s, likely inspired by the character Anitra in Henrik Ibsen's 1867 play 'Peer Gynt,' where she is a seductive Bedouin dancing girl. The name may derive from Arabic 'anīqa' (graceful) or simply be a variant of Anita, itself a Spanish and Portuguese diminutive of Ana. By the mid-20th century, Anitra gained modest popularity in the United States, peaking in 1976. Its usage has since become rare, but it retains a literary, exotic appeal.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Annie, Nitra
Variants: Aneetra, Anitra
Sibling names for Anitra
Names that share Anitra's style, for a brother or sister.
