A 1950s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Nita since 1881
Babies named Nita per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 95 |
| 1890s | 279 |
| 1900s | 344 |
| 1910s | 838 |
| 1920s | 1,483 |
| 1930s | 1,728 |
| 1940s | 2,377 |
| 1950s | 3,451 |
| 1960s | 2,034 |
| 1970s | 764 |
| 1980s | 347 |
| 1990s | 200 |
| 2000s | 158 |
| 2010s | 119 |
| 2020s | 51 |
Meaning & origin
Nita experienced its peak popularity in 1955, when it ranked highest among U.S. births. After declining for decades, the name has been rising again since 2021, reflecting a revival of mid-century short names. Currently, it is given to about 1 in every 229,610 baby girls, placing it at rank 11,932 in 2025. Its dual etymology from Spanish and Sanskrit gives it cross-cultural appeal, though its usage has been primarily in English-speaking countries. The name's trajectory suggests a growing interest as parents rediscover concise, vowel-ending names from the 1950s.
Nita has two likely origins. In Spanish, it arose as a diminutive suffix -nita, seen in names like Juanita or Anita, often used independently in English-speaking countries. Alternatively, in Sanskrit (नीता), it means 'guided' or 'moral', a feminine form of Nita. The name became popular in the United States in the early 20th century, peaking in the 1950s.
Where Nita is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Sibling names for Nita
Names that share Nita's style, for a brother or sister.
