Ritesh

Ritesh is a masculine given name of Indian origin that is widely used in India and among the Indian diaspora. In many cases it is linked to Sanskrit roots and is commonly interpreted as "lord of rites" or "one who performs rituals," reflecting traditional religious and cultural associations.

Etymology: The name is typically traced to Sanskrit elements such as rit or rita (related to ritual, tradition, or cosmic order) and ish(a) (lord, ruler). While precise historical derivations vary, the modern meaning usually emphasizes auspicious or aspirational qualities rather than strict linguistic derivation.

Usage and distribution: Ritesh is most common in Hindi- and Marathi-speaking communities, but it has widespread use across northern and western India and among the Indian diaspora. Spelling variants include Ritesh and Riteish; some sources also record Ritish.

Notable people: Ritesh Agarwal, Indian entrepreneur and founder of OYO Rooms, born in 1993. Ritesh Deshmukh, Indian actor and film producer, born in 1977. The name is used by other professionals across fields in India and abroad.