UK girl's name
Nita
Of Sanskrit origin meaning "moral", "pure", or "virtuous".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2017. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Nita is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Nita popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2017 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5765, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 5 births.
This profile covers 19 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 1997 to 2017. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 60% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 19 living people in the UK are called Nita. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2018 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Nita ranked #5765 for girls in England and Wales in 2017, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1997, when 5 girls were registered as Nita.
- • About 19 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nita as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5765
2017
Births in 2017
3
Latest year
Peak year
1997
5 births
Estimated living
19
2026
Meaning
What does Nita mean?
Nita is a feminine given name with origins that can be traced back to various cultures and languages around the world. The name is believed to have derived from the Sanskrit word "nita," which means "moral conduct" or "virtue." It is also thought to have roots in the Hindi language, where "nita" means "guidance" or "leadership."
In ancient Indian texts and scriptures, the name Nita is often associated with goddesses and female deities, symbolizing purity, grace, and strength. One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name can be found in the Mahabharata, an ancient Indian epic poem dating back to the 8th century BCE.
The name Nita also has a significant presence in Greek mythology, where it is linked to the word "nitos," meaning "bright" or "shining." In Greek legends, Nita was a nymph associated with the goddess Artemis, known for her beauty and grace.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Nita. One of the earliest recorded figures was Nita Ambani (born 1963), an Indian philanthropist and chairperson of the Reliance Foundation. Another prominent Nita was Nita Farah (1900-1967), an Egyptian-born American actress and dancer who rose to fame during the Golden Age of Hollywood.
In the literary world, Nita Naldi (1899-1961) was an American silent film actress and author, known for her roles in several notable films of the 1920s. Nita Paldi (1920-2002) was an Italian actress and singer who achieved success in post-World War II Italian cinema.
More recently, Nita Strauss (born 1986) is an American guitarist and songwriter who has performed with renowned artists such as Alice Cooper and Demi Lovato.
While the name Nita has its origins in various ancient cultures and languages, it has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on history, being associated with individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, each contributing to the rich tapestry of human existence.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Nita over time
The chart below shows babies named Nita registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2017. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Nita, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2017, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Nita by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nita was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #5265 | 7 | 2 |
| 2000s | #4218 | 7 | 2 |
| 1990s | #2738 | 5 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Nita
- Niamh 20,347
- Nicole 19,687
- Natasha 15,578
- Nancy 12,607
- Naomi 12,199
- Natalie 10,885
- Nevaeh 7,869
- Nina 7,285
- Neve 7,180
- Natalia 7,099
- Nadia 6,032
- Nicola 4,927
FAQ
Nita: questions and answers
How popular is the name Nita in the UK right now?
In 2017, Nita was ranked #5765 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Nita most popular?
The peak year on record was 1997, with 5 babies registered as Nita in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Nita?
Of Sanskrit origin meaning "moral", "pure", or "virtuous".
How many people are called Nita in the UK?
A total of 19 babies have been registered as Nita across the 5 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.