Benita is a feminine given name of Spanish and Italian origin. The name is derived from the Latin word "benitus," which means "blessed" or "happy." It is also associated with the Latin adjective "bene," meaning "good."
The name Benita has been used in Spain and Italy for centuries, and it was introduced to other parts of Europe through cultural exchange and migration. In some cases, Benita may have been given as a form of the name Benedetta, which is derived from the Latin word "benedictus," meaning "blessed" or "happy."
Benita was also used in the United States during the early 20th century, particularly among Spanish-speaking communities. According to data from the Social Security Administration, Benita was most popular in the US between 1900 and 1950.
Today, Benita remains a relatively uncommon name, but it continues to be used by families of Spanish and Italian descent. It is often associated with the qualities of happiness, good fortune, and blessedness.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Benita has seen a significant increase and decrease in popularity over time in the United States.
From 1889 to 1945, the number of babies named Benita fluctuated between a low of 5 births in some years to a high of 88 births in others. However, starting from 1946, there was a notable rise in the popularity of this name. In 1948, 163 babies were named Benita, marking a significant increase compared to previous decades.
This trend continued throughout the 1950s and 1960s, with the highest number of babies named Benita occurring in 1960 at 475 births. This period can be considered the peak popularity for the name Benita in the United States.
However, starting from the late 1960s, there was a gradual decrease in the popularity of this name. By 1971, the number of babies named Benita had decreased to 219 births, and this downward trend continued throughout the following decades.
From the 1980s onwards, the name Benita became quite rare, with fewer than 100 babies named Benita each year. The lowest point was reached in 2020 and 2021, with only 11 births each year.
Overall, while the name Benita has seen periods of popularity and unpopularity over time in the United States, it can be concluded that this name is no longer widely used today.