Cerita
A feminine name of Indonesian origin meaning "story" or "tale".
Name Census estimates that about 88 living Americans carry the first name Cerita. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Cerita today is around 54 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Cerita births was 1961 (11 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Cerita. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Cerita. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
88
~ 1 in 3,894,936 Americans
Peak year
1961
11 babies that year
Average age
54
years old
1990 SSA rank
#13,311
Tracked since 1952
Popularity
Cerita: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Cerita from the 1950s through to the 1990s, spanning 5 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1960s, with 44 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1960s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Cerita by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Cerita during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Cerita
The name Cerita originates from the Indonesian and Malay languages, where it means "story" or "tale." Its roots can be traced back to the Sanskrit word "charitra," which means "character" or "behavior." The name has been in use in Indonesia and Malaysia for centuries, with records showing its existence as early as the 16th century.
In the ancient Javanese and Balinese cultures, storytelling was a highly revered art form. Oral traditions and narratives played a vital role in preserving history, sharing wisdom, and entertaining people. The name Cerita was likely given to children as a symbolic representation of the importance of stories in these societies.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Cerita can be found in the 17th century Javanese manuscript "Serat Centhini," a famous literary work that chronicles the life and adventures of a young woman named Cerita. This text provides insight into the cultural significance of the name during that period.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Cerita. One such person was Cerita Basheer (1920-2000), an Indonesian author and activist known for her works exploring themes of gender equality and women's rights. Her influential writings contributed to the feminist movement in Indonesia.
Another notable figure was Cerita Kamarudin (1924-2008), a Malaysian politician and lawyer who played a crucial role in the country's independence movement. She was one of the first female members of parliament in Malaysia and worked tirelessly to promote women's rights and education.
In the realm of performing arts, Cerita Dewi (born 1965) is a renowned Indonesian actress and singer. She has starred in numerous films and television shows, showcasing her versatility as an artist and her ability to captivate audiences with her performances.
Additionally, Cerita Asmara (born 1978) is a respected Indonesian writer and journalist. Her works often explore themes of love, relationships, and the complexities of modern life. She has won several literary awards for her insightful and thought-provoking writing.
Cerita Mutiara (born 1985) is a contemporary Malaysian artist known for her vibrant and expressive paintings. Her artworks frequently depict scenes from traditional Malay folklore and stories, reflecting her deep connection to her cultural roots and the power of narratives.
These individuals, spanning different eras and fields, have all contributed to the rich tapestry of history and culture associated with the name Cerita, solidifying its significance as a representation of storytelling and the preservation of cultural narratives.
People
Cerita + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Cerita as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with C
Other first names starting with C with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Cerita: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Cerita?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 88 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Cerita going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 3,894,936 US residents.
Is Cerita a common name?
We classify Cerita as "Very Rare". It ranks above 62.7% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 104 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Cerita most popular?
The single biggest year for Cerita was 1961, when 11 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Cerita is about 54 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Cerita a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Cerita in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.