Reta

♀ Girl

Pronounced REE-tah /ˈriː.tə/Medium

Meaning: Reta is a variant of Rita, itself a short form of Margarita (Margaret), from the Greek/Latin for 'pearl'. The single-vowel spelling gives a trim, streamlined look.Medium

In 30 seconds: A pearl, pared down: Reta varies Rita, short for Margarita, 'pearl' (said 'REE-tah').

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Origin MediumGreek, Latin

MeaningReta is a variant of Rita, itself a short form of Margarita (Margaret), from the Greek/Latin for 'pearl'. The single-vowel spelling gives a trim, streamlined look.

U.S. rank (1998)#16018 ↘ Falling

1998 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1946

Total births (all-time)≈ 8,616

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Reta is a variant of Rita, a short form of Margarita and thus of Margaret, from the word for 'pearl'. It appeared as a trim, modern-looking spelling in the early-to-mid twentieth century, cresting around 1946. It faded as the standard Rita held on.

Uncommon now, it reads as a neat period variant. Simple, warm, and streamlined.

Did you know? Reta is a streamlined spelling of Rita — the 'pearl' of Margarita — that saw quiet use around its 1946 peak.

Overall data confidence 60%

References — Reta — Variant of Rita; short for Margarita 'pearl'

Variations

RitaReetaRetta

Nicknames

RetRita

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Reta…

Rita— the standard name Reta varies

Retta— a similar short -etta name

Margarita— the fuller source of the name

Rheta— shares the -ta ending

Vita— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Reta

By themeshort vintage respelled 1940s

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Reta mean?

Reta is a variant of Rita, a short form of Margarita (Margaret), from the word for 'pearl'.

How do you pronounce Reta?

It's said REE-tah /ˈriː.tə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Reta a boy or girl name?

Reta is used as a girl's name.

Is Reta making a comeback?

Reta is uncommon today; the standard Rita is the likelier form to be seen.