Ritter is a name of German origin that translates to "knight" in English. It is derived from the Old High German word "riddo," which means "to ride." The name Ritter has been used historically as a given name, but it is also often used as a surname.
The use of Ritter as a given name can be traced back to the Middle Ages in Germany. During this time, knights were held in high regard and were considered to be among the most noble and courageous members of society. As such, the name Ritter was seen as an appropriate choice for boys born into these families.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the name Ritter. For example, Heinrich Ritter von Südheim was a German astronomer who lived in the 19th century. He is known for his work on comets and for discovering several asteroids.
Today, Ritter is still used as a given name, but it is relatively rare compared to more popular names like John or Michael. Despite its rarity, however, Ritter remains a strong and distinctive name with a rich historical legacy behind it.
The name Ritter has seen a varied trend of popularity over the years in the United States. Between 1997 and 2021, there have been a total of 114 babies named Ritter.
In terms of yearly trends, the most popular years for the name were:
- 2016 with 17 births
- 2018 with 11 births
- 2009 and 2014 with 9 births each
The least popular years were:
- 1997, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2021 with 5 births each
- 2013 with 10 births
While there have been fluctuations in popularity over the years, it's important to note that even during periods of lower popularity, Ritter has consistently seen a small but steady number of babies being given this name each year.