Perdita

Perdita is a feminine given name of Latin origin. It derives from perdita, the feminine past participle of perdere, meaning “lost” or “having been lost.” In Latin, perdita functions as both a noun meaning “loss” and an adjective meaning lost. The name entered English usage primarily through literature.

In William Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale, Perdita is the daughter of King Leontes and Queen Hermione. She is believed to have been lost at birth and is later found and raised in Bohemia by a shepherd. The character’s name is closely tied to her origins as a “lost” child and to the play’s themes of restoration and reconciliation.

Beyond the stage, Perdita has been used as a given name in English-speaking countries since the early modern period. In contemporary times it remains uncommon but recognizable, and is borne by individuals in the arts and literature. A notable bearer is Perdita Weeks, an English actress known for roles in period dramas.

Perdita also appears in various cultural references, including songs and novels, where the name can evoke a sense of antiquated charm associated with Shakespearean literature. In Latin-derived languages, perdita retains its generic meaning of “loss” and appears in expressions pertaining to loss or disappearance, underscoring its linguistic roots in the idea of something that has been lost.