Anita
From Spanish Anita, diminutive of Ana (“Ann”).
Every Anita since 1880 — 215,849 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Anita
Anita is uncommon for girls in the United States, ranked #1,342 in 2025 with 165 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 215,849 American babies have been named Anita. Its peak came in 1957, when 5,831 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1950s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Anita stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Anita year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 165 | #1,342 | — | — |
| 2024 | 149 | #1,467 | — | — |
| 2023 | 155 | #1,439 | — | — |
| 2022 | 168 | #1,373 | — | — |
| 2021 | 154 | #1,410 | — | — |
| 2020 | 138 | #1,534 | — | — |
| 2019 | 191 | #1,230 | — | — |
| 2018 | 172 | #1,319 | — | — |
| 2017 | 188 | #1,258 | — | — |
| 2016 | 175 | #1,353 | — | — |
| 2015 | 148 | #1,521 | — | — |
| 2014 | 164 | #1,400 | — | — |
| 2013 | 151 | #1,470 | — | — |
| 2012 | 151 | #1,491 | — | — |
| 2011 | 181 | #1,301 | — | — |
| 2010 | 174 | #1,349 | — | — |
| 2009 | 199 | #1,242 | — | — |
| 2008 | 238 | #1,090 | — | — |
| 2007 | 211 | #1,196 | — | — |
| 2006 | 212 | #1,151 | — | — |
| 2005 | 223 | #1,067 | — | — |
| 2004 | 266 | #908 | — | — |
| 2003 | 245 | #954 | — | — |
| 2002 | 266 | #863 | — | — |
| 2001 | 297 | #795 | — | — |
| 2000 | 314 | #736 | — | — |
| 1995 | 400 | #573 | — | — |
| 1990 | 642 | #404 | 6 | #7,222 |
| 1985 | 738 | #323 | 8 | #4,724 |
| 1980 | 1,151 | #223 | — | — |
| 1975 | 1,722 | #157 | 5 | #5,500 |
| 1970 | 2,895 | #127 | 13 | #2,624 |
| 1965 | 4,017 | #94 | 15 | #2,089 |
| 1960 | 5,637 | #87 | 16 | #2,043 |
| 1955 | 4,718 | #94 | 10 | #2,567 |
| 1950 | 3,572 | #99 | 6 | #3,341 |
| 1945 | 2,768 | #100 | 8 | #2,576 |
| 1940 | 2,828 | #87 | 20 | #1,520 |
| 1935 | 1,932 | #119 | 10 | #2,401 |
| 1930 | 2,183 | #115 | 11 | #2,453 |
| 1925 | 1,764 | #146 | — | — |
| 1920 | 1,934 | #131 | 7 | #3,505 |
| 1915 | 1,116 | #164 | — | — |
| 1910 | 338 | #195 | — | — |
| 1905 | 209 | #214 | — | — |
| 1900 | 176 | #242 | — | — |
| 1895 | 126 | #248 | — | — |
| 1890 | 68 | #301 | — | — |
| 1885 | 34 | #341 | — | — |
| 1880 | 16 | #423 | — | — |
Famous people named Anita
- Anita Ekberg Actor · 1931–2015
- Anita Garibaldi Politician · 1821–1849
- Anita Pallenberg Actor · 1942–2017
- Anita Björk Actor · 1923–2012
- Anita Mui Singer · 1963–2003
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Anita mean?
From Spanish Anita, diminutive of Ana (“Ann”).
How popular is the name Anita in 2025?
Anita ranked #1,342 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 165 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Anita?
215,849 babies have been named Anita in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Anita most popular?
Anita peaked in 1957, when 5,831 newborns received the name.
Is Anita a boy or girl name?
Anita is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Anita rising or falling?
Anita has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Anita?
Well-known people named Anita include Anita Ekberg (actor), Anita Garibaldi (politician), Anita Pallenberg (actor).