Details for the forename Rita

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Rita (female)


Diminutive for:	Margarita (F) Margherita (F)
Pet Name for:	Henrietta (F) Maria (F)

Source(s):	The Oxford Names Companion, OUP "Scottish Forenames" - Donald Whyte, FGH, FSG Personal communications [TL³ and SGH]
Notes:	1. English and Scandinavian, originally from the diminutive of Margarita Spanish and Margherita Italian variants of Margaret. Now popular as a given name both in England and in the US. 2. Also known to be used as a pet name for Henrietta and possibly for other names ending -rita or similar. 3. One of a large number of Dutch and Flemish pet names for Maria [q.v.], derived from the Hebrew name Miriam/Mariamne. Now occasionally a given name in its own right.