MallowbyNames

Sarita

सरिताsuh-REE-tuh · Little Sarah, or princess; also interpreted as 'essence' or 'river' in Sanskrit.

2025 rank (girls)
#6,116
Babies named in 2025
19
Peak popularity
1966
2025 frequency
1 in 84,593 girls
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Rising since 2017

A 1960s favorite, climbing again.

Popularity of Sarita since 1910

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

55111166192019602000Most births 1965Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1910s50
1920s80
1930s143
1940s218
1950s646
1960s1,019
1970s784
1980s931
1990s494
2000s341
2010s215
2020s125

Meaning & origin

Sarita is a name with dual heritage, acting as a Spanish diminutive of Sarah and a Sanskrit word for 'river'. The name first appeared on U.S. records in 1910 and saw its peak popularity in 1966, when it reached its highest rank. After a period of decline following the 1960s, Sarita has been on a slow upward trajectory since 2017. As of 2025, approximately 1 in 84,593 births feature the name, placing it at rank 6,116. The name's revival is modest but steady, appealing to parents drawn to its cross-cultural depth and melodic sound. Though not currently associated with any particular state, Sarita retains a gentle, vintage charm.

Sarita is a Spanish diminutive of Sara, itself a form of Sarah, derived from the Hebrew word for 'princess'. In Sanskrit, Sarita means 'river' or 'flowing', and is used as a given name in India. The name Sarita has been used in both Spanish-speaking and Indian communities, with the Spanish version gaining modest popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century.

Where Sarita 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.

2020s
Fewermore per 100k girlstoo few births

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Sari, Rita, Sara

Variants: Sari, Saritta

Sibling names for Sarita

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

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

S is for Sarita, our favorite little girl.

S is for Sarita…”

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

Make Sarita's book

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

Questions parents ask

What does the name Sarita mean?
Sarita is a Spanish diminutive of Sara, meaning 'princess'. In Sanskrit, it means 'river' or 'flowing'.
Is Sarita a common name today?
Sarita is currently rare in the United States. In 2025, it ranked 6,116th with about 1 in 84,593 newborn girls receiving the name.
Is Sarita considered a girl's name?
Yes, Sarita is almost exclusively used as a girl's name.