name
Common
Rita
Rita (name) means a feminine given name, originally a shortening of Margherita or Margarita, cognates of Margaret. Example: “Rita sang at her friend's wedding.”
name
1
A feminine given name, originally a shortening of Margherita or Margarita, cognates of Margaret.
"Rita sang at her friend's wedding."
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Word forms
- Plural
- Ritas
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_____ sang at her friend's wedding.
Etymology
A shortening of Italian Margherita and Spanish Margarita, popularized in part by Saint Rita, canonized in 1900.
Class of 1900
Rita joined the language around 1900.
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Synonyms
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Rhymes for Rita
See all rhymes for Rita →Frequently asked questions
What does “Rita” mean?
The word “Rita” means a feminine given name, originally a shortening of Margherita or Margarita, cognates of Margaret.
How do you use “Rita” in a sentence?
Here is “Rita” used in a sentence: “Rita sang at her friend's wedding.”
What part of speech is “Rita”?
“Rita” is a name.
Where does the word “Rita” come from?
The word “Rita” dates back to around 1900 and comes from Italian. A shortening of Italian Margherita and Spanish Margarita, popularized in part by Saint Rita, canonized in 1900.
Is “Rita” a common word?
“Rita” is a fairly common word in modern English.
Is Rita a full name or a nickname?
Rita originated as a shortening of Margherita or Margarita, both cognates of Margaret, but it has long been used as a complete given name in its own right rather than only as a nickname.
What is the difference between Rita and Margaret?
Rita and Margaret are historically connected through Margherita and Margarita, which are cognates of Margaret in other languages. Rita developed as a shortened form of those names rather than being a direct English equivalent of Margaret.
Is Rita used as a first name or a surname?
Rita is a feminine given name, not a surname.
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