Girl · 132nd of 19,264
Anita
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
215,683
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1957
Peak Popularity Year
5,831
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Anita stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Anita has its roots in Spanish and Hebrew, deriving from the name Hannah, which means 'grace' or 'favor'. It has evolved from Hannah to Ana and then to Anita. The name has a positive meaning associated with grace and has gained popularity since the late 19th century. While it does not have a biblical reference, it is associated with strong female figures, making it a name with a rich cultural significance.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/əˈniːtə/
Origin
Spanish, Hebrew
Etymology
Anita is a diminutive form of the name Ana, which is derived from the Hebrew name Hannah meaning 'grace' or 'favor'.
Meaning
grace, favor
Language Evolution
Hannah, Ana, Anita
Historical Usage
The name Anita gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, especially in Spanish-speaking countries and has since spread to various cultures.
Variants & Derivatives
Ana, Ann, Annie
Modern Popularity & Image
Anita is often perceived as a warm and friendly name, commonly associated with strong, independent women.
Famous People
Anita Bryant, Anita Hill, Anita Ekberg
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 5,831 peak births in 1957
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in New Mexico
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 2 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 4399th of 7545 | 48 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2276th of 6773 | 198 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2283rd of 7552 | 241 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3477th of 10718 | 140 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 8057th of 16616 | 57 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 161st of 9107 | 25,878 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 111th of 9204 | 43,038 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 97th of 12526 | 90,052 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 132nd of 19264 | 37,357 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 372nd of 27321 | 10,936 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 964th of 35406 | 4,056 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1403rd of 30306 | 1,950 |