Short form of Margherita; used as a name on its own in European languages other than Italian. I use it as a short form of Margherita, which is my middle name.
I always heard that the name Margarita comes from the Greek word Margalithos : precious stone, precious Pearl. (I studied in High School 6 years Greek-Latin Humanities)In Israel you hear the name as : Margalitha or Margalith. Also in Greece you hear it with the L and not the R.
― Anonymous User 12/21/2015
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In most Catholic contexts, this name is used on its own (independently from Margaret and its forms), originally in reference to the very popular Saint Rita of Cassia.