Rita \r(i)-ta\ as a girl's name is pronounced REE-tah. Short form of Margarita (Spanish), from Margaret (Greek) "pearl". Use in Hindi is from Sanskrit, meaning "right". First used as an independent name a few hundred years ago. The Italian Saint Rita (15th century) has roses for her emblem. Actresses Rita Hayworth, Rita Moreno; authors Rita Mae Brown, Rita Dove.

Rita has 7 variant forms: Reeta, Reita, Rheeta, Rida, Riet, Rieta and Ritta.

For more information, see also related names Alvarita and Reta.

Baby names that sound like Rita are Ruta, Retha, Reida, Rheta, Reda, Retta, Roda and Ruth.