MallowbyNames

Carita

kuh-REE-tuh · Most likely a feminine form of the Latin name Carus, meaning 'dear' or 'beloved', though it may also derive from the Greek kharis, meaning 'grace'.

Peak popularity
1972
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Carita since 1900

Babies named Carita per year in U.S. Social Security records.

112233192019602000Most births 1972Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1900s11
1910s67
1920s113
1930s122
1940s83
1950s164
1960s134
1970s224
1980s127
1990s42
2000s0
2010s0
2020s0

Meaning & origin

Carita is a feminine name of Latin origin, likely meaning 'dear' or 'beloved'. It has never been a common choice in the United States; the Social Security Administration recorded its first use in 1900, but it never reached the top 1000. Its most notable year was 1972, when it ranked 1972nd, placing it solidly in the 1970s decade despite a 'stable' trajectory with no recent revival. The name has no recorded top states, reflecting its widespread but sparse use. Carita remains a rare, gentle name for parents seeking something uncommon with a classic feel.

Carita is a feminine given name with roots in Latin, likely derived from 'carus', meaning 'dear' or 'beloved'. Alternatively, it may have connections to the Greek 'kharis' (grace), but the Latin derivation is more widely accepted. The name saw sporadic use in the English-speaking world during the 19th and 20th centuries, with a modest peak in the 1970s (ranked 1972nd that year). Though never common, it has remained in occasional use.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Cari, Rita, Cara

Variants: Karita, Charita

Sibling names for Carita

Names that share Carita's style, for a brother or sister.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

C is for Carita, our favorite little girl.

C is for Carita…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Carita's letter becomes Carita's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Carita's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Carita mean?
Carita is thought to be a feminine form of the Latin name Carus, meaning 'dear' or 'beloved'.
Is Carita a popular name today?
Carita is very rare and has not ranked in the U.S. top 1000 in recent decades. Its peak year of usage was 1972, but even then it was uncommon.
Is Carita a boy or girl name?
Carita is almost exclusively a girl's name.