Cherita first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Cherita has been for the last 24 years (from 1975 to 1998) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Cherita

A feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "story" or "narrative".

Popularity of Cherita by gender

Based on the last 24 years of data, Cherita is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1998, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Cherita.

Year Male Count Female Count
1998 0 5
1994 0 10
1993 0 8
1992 0 6
1991 0 11
1990 0 17
1989 0 18
1988 0 22
1987 0 34
1986 0 22
1985 0 37
1984 0 38
1983 0 30
1982 0 41
1981 0 40
1980 0 47
1979 0 41
1978 0 42
1977 0 39
1976 0 31
1975 0 46

The history of the first name Cherita

Cherita is a name with origins traced back to the Malay language spoken in Malaysia, Indonesia, and parts of Southeast Asia. The name is believed to be derived from the Malay word "cherita," which means "story" or "tale." This linguistic connection suggests that the name may have carried connotations of storytelling, narratives, and oral traditions within these cultures.

The earliest known record of the name Cherita can be found in the 17th century, during the height of the Malay Sultanates and the era of maritime trade in the region. It is believed that the name was initially used by Malay families, particularly those with ties to the arts, literature, or oral storytelling traditions.

One notable historical figure bearing the name Cherita was a renowned Malay storyteller and performer who lived in the late 18th century on the island of Sumatra. While her exact birth and death dates are uncertain, her legacy as a skilled raconteur and keeper of oral traditions has been documented in various historical accounts and local folklore.

In the 19th century, the name Cherita appeared in several literary works and traditional Malay manuscripts, further solidifying its association with storytelling and the preservation of cultural narratives. A famous example is the epic tale "Cherita Hang Tuah," which chronicled the adventures of a legendary Malay warrior named Hang Tuah.

Another notable figure was Cherita Binti Abdullah, a Malay scholar and writer who lived in the early 20th century (1890-1962). She was known for her contributions to preserving and documenting Malay literature, folklore, and traditional knowledge.

In more recent times, the name Cherita has been adopted by individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, transcending its Malay origins. For instance, Cherita Beverley was an acclaimed Australian Aboriginal artist and activist who played a significant role in raising awareness about indigenous rights and cultural preservation (1939-2016).

While the name Cherita may have evolved and been embraced by different communities over time, its roots remain deeply intertwined with the rich storytelling traditions and cultural heritage of the Malay world. The name serves as a linguistic and cultural bridge, carrying echoes of the narratives that have shaped and defined these societies for centuries.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Cherita was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Cherita, please contact us.

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"Cherita first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on October 21, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/cherita-meaning-and-history/.

"Cherita first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/cherita-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 21 October, 2025

Cherita first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/cherita-meaning-and-history/.

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