Holding steady.
Popularity of Belita since 1943
Babies named Belita per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1952, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Belita's real moment was 1945.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 117 |
| 1950s | 151 |
| 1960s | 80 |
| 1970s | 28 |
| 1980s | 8 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Belita is a delicate, melodic name that entered the U.S. baby name charts in 1943 and saw its peak usage in 1945 (its peak year). It has maintained a stable trajectory since then, never breaking into the top 1000 but remaining in occasional use. As a diminutive form of Bella or Belinda, Belita shares the elegant meaning of 'beautiful' common to many Romance language names. The name is also tied to the Spanish dancer and actress Belita (born Gladys Jepson-Turner), who popularized the name in the mid-20th century through her films. Parents today who choose Belita are often drawn to its vintage charm and lyrical sound, though its rarity means it offers a distinctive choice. The name has no strong regional ties in the U.S., with top states unrecorded.
Belita is a diminutive form typically derived from names such as Bella, Belinda, or Isabel, all ultimately from Latin 'bella' meaning 'beautiful.' As a given name, it has been used in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries as an affectionate pet form, and occasionally in English-speaking countries since the 1940s. Its usage peaked in 1945 in the United States, likely influenced by the Spanish dancer and actress Belita (born 1923).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Bela, Lita, Belle
Variants: Belitta, Belit
Sibling names for Belita
Names that share Belita's style, for a brother or sister.
