Ritta is a feminine given name of Italian origin. It is derived from the Italian word "ritta," which means "right" or "correct." The name Ritta is often associated with the Italian saint Rita of Cascia, who was born in the 14th century and is known for her devotion to the Virgin Mary and her miraculous intercessions.
According to legend, Rita was born into a wealthy family in Roccaporrino, Italy, but she was drawn to a life of piety and service. She entered a convent at a young age and spent the rest of her life dedicated to prayer and good works. After her death, many miracles were attributed to her intercession, and she was canonized by Pope Urban VIII in 1627.
The name Ritta is relatively rare outside of Italy, but it has been used as a given name in some English-speaking countries. It is sometimes spelled Rita or Ritanna. In any case, the name Ritta carries with it a strong association with faith, devotion, and holiness.
Ritta is a unique and distinctive name with an interesting history of usage in the United States over the past century. According to the statistics provided, Ritta's popularity has fluctuated over time.
The earliest recorded birth of a child named Ritta in the United States occurred in 1917, with eight newborns being given this name that year. The following decade saw continued usage of Ritta as a baby girl name, with six births each in 1919 and 1920.
The number of newborn girls named Ritta peaked during the mid-1950s, with five or more births occurring annually from 1953 to 1959. Notably, the year 1957 saw eight babies being given the name Ritta, which is the highest recorded figure for this period.
Interestingly, there was a gap of nearly four decades before another birth of a girl named Ritta was recorded in the United States – this occurred in the year 2001 with six births. This suggests that while Ritta may not have been a common choice of name during these intervening years, it did not completely fall out of favor.
In total, over the course of more than eight decades (from 1917 to 2001), there were 159 recorded births of girls named Ritta in the United States. This demonstrates that while Ritta may not have been one of the most popular baby girl names throughout history, it has maintained a steady presence and continues to be chosen by parents today.
Despite its relatively low overall usage, Ritta remains an appealing name for those seeking something distinctive yet classic. Its unique spelling and sound make it memorable and easy to pronounce, while its historic roots give it an air of timelessness and elegance. Ultimately, whether you're drawn to Ritta because of its statistical prevalence or simply appreciate its singular qualities as a name, there's no denying that this moniker has left its mark on American naming trends over the past century.