Declining since 2002, #9,457 for girls today.
Popularity of Lita since 1888
Babies named Lita per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1960, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Lita's real moment was 1927.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 11 |
| 1890s | 5 |
| 1900s | 45 |
| 1910s | 162 |
| 1920s | 439 |
| 1930s | 555 |
| 1940s | 331 |
| 1950s | 779 |
| 1960s | 674 |
| 1970s | 238 |
| 1980s | 206 |
| 1990s | 257 |
| 2000s | 427 |
| 2010s | 200 |
| 2020s | 108 |
Meaning & origin
Lita emerged as an independent given name in the late 19th century, with the first recorded use in the United States in 1888. It is a diminutive derived from Spanish names ending in -lita, such as Carlita and Lolita. The name enjoyed its peak popularity in 1927, during the 1920s, a decade in which many short, melodic names were fashionable. Since 2002, its usage has been steadily declining, and by 2025 it ranked 9,457th, with only 1 in 160,727 babies receiving the name. Lita has never been concentrated in any particular state, reflecting its overall rarity. Its simple, two-syllable sound and ending in 'a' give it a feminine, international feel, though it remains an uncommon choice.
Lita originated as a diminutive suffix -lita taken from Spanish names such as Carlita (little Carla) and Lolita (little Lola). It began to be used as an independent given name in the late 19th century, first recorded in the United States in 1888. Its usage peaked in the 1920s, possibly influenced by the silent film actress Lita Grey, and has since declined.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Lita
Names that share Lita's style, for a brother or sister.
