Ritu
c. late 20th c., from the Hanyu Pinyin romanization of the Mandarin 日土 (Rìtǔ).
Every Ritu since 1968 — 341 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Ritu
Ritu is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1968, 341 American babies have been named Ritu. Its peak came in 2001, when 16 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
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 Ritu stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Ritu year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | 9 | #11,753 |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | 6 | #16,452 |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | 7 | #14,660 |
| 2009 | 6 | #16,848 |
| 2008 | 9 | #12,391 |
| 2007 | 8 | #13,664 |
| 2006 | 11 | #10,462 |
| 2005 | 8 | #12,773 |
| 2004 | 7 | #13,883 |
| 2003 | 12 | #8,946 |
| 2002 | 16 | #6,975 |
| 2001 | 16 | #6,906 |
| 2000 | 12 | #8,435 |
| 1995 | 5 | #15,211 |
| 1990 | 5 | #14,691 |
| 1985 | 5 | #12,020 |
| 1980 | 11 | #6,218 |
| 1975 | 8 | #6,982 |
| 1970 | 11 | #4,996 |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ritu mean?
c. late 20th c., from the Hanyu Pinyin romanization of the Mandarin 日土 (Rìtǔ).
How popular is the name Ritu in 2025?
Ritu did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Ritu?
341 babies have been named Ritu in the United States since 1968, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Ritu most popular?
Ritu peaked in 2001, when 16 newborns received the name.
Is Ritu a boy or girl name?
Ritu is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Ritu rising or falling?
Ritu is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.