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Home › Baby Names Directory › Anita

Anita

♀ Girl

Pronounced ah-NEE-tah /əˈniː.tə/Low

Meaning: Grace, favor; little AnaLow

In 30 seconds: Anita is the Spanish and Scandinavian diminutive of Ana meaning grace, from the Hebrew Channah. With three warm syllables it was one of the most popular names in mid-20th-century United States and carries a timeless, affectionate quality.
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Origin LowSpanish, Hebrew, Scandinavian
MeaningGrace, favor; little Ana
U.S. rank (2024)#1463 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births149 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1957
Total births (all-time)≈ 214,999

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 195718802024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Anita is the Spanish and Scandinavian diminutive of Ana, from the Hebrew Channah meaning grace or favor. The -ita suffix is an affectionate Spanish diminutive. It has been used in Spain, Latin America, and Scandinavia for many centuries.

Anita was popular in the United States in the mid-20th century, particularly in Hispanic communities. Famous bearers include singer Anita Baker and journalist Anita Hill. It has a warm, retro quality that makes it appealing again.

Did you know? West Side Story's leading character is Maria but her best friend is Anita — played memorably by Chita Rivera in the original Broadway production and Rita Moreno in the 1961 film, who won the Academy Award for the role.
Overall data confidence 90%
Behind the Name: Anita

Variations

AnaAnnitaAnata

Nicknames

AniNita

Famous Bearers

  • ★Anita Baker (b. 1958)
    American R&B and soul singer, multiple Grammy winner known for the album Rapture and 'Sweet Love'

If you like Anita…

Nina— Spanish -ita equivalent short form of the same feel
Rita— Spanish -ita name of same vintage era
Juanita— lands in the same popularity range
Carlota— a fellow Spanish choice
Amada— shares Anita's Spanish roots

Explore names like Anita

By themehebrewspanishvintagethree-syllablescandinaviangrace
By meaningGrace

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does Anita mean?

Anita means grace or favor as the Spanish diminutive of Ana, from the Hebrew Channah meaning grace.

Is Anita a Spanish name?

Yes, Anita is primarily a Spanish diminutive of Ana, though it is also used in Scandinavian countries.

How do you pronounce Anita?

Anita is pronounced ah-NEE-tah with three syllables.

What are nicknames for Anita?

Nicknames for Anita include Ani and Nita.

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