The nameNina
Nina is a girl's name with several roots, Spanish, Russian and Hebrew. Short and international, it is popular across Europe.
- Girl's name
- Several origins meet in this name
Meaning
Nina is a short form of Russian names such as Antonina, and of names ending in -nina. In Spanish, niña means "little girl". In Hebrew it is linked to Hannah, "grace".
Origin
Several origins meet in this name. Saint Nino, or Nina, brought Christianity to Georgia in the 4th century.
History
Nina Simone, the singer and civil rights activist, made the name famous. It is popular in Germany, the Netherlands and France.
Nina in other languages
Nina is spelled the same in almost every language. In Russian it is a pet form of Antonina, in Spanish niña means "little girl", and in Georgia Saint Nino brought Christianity to the country in the 4th century.
Did you know?
- Nina Simone dreamed of becoming a classical pianist and studied at the Juilliard School in New York.
Famous people named Nina
- Saint Nino of Georgia
- Nina Simone, singer
- Nina Dobrev, actress
- Nina Wadia, actress
Popularity of the name Nina
Nina in the United States
Nina was most popular in the United States in the 1980s, with 13,709 births over the decade, 10% of all recorded babies named Nina. Its rise began around 1885, and it peaked in 1980. Half of all babies named Nina in the United States were born before 1964, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 969 births a year.
Nina in the United Kingdom
Nina was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 3,590 births over the decade, 41% of all recorded babies named Nina. Half of all babies named Nina in the United Kingdom were born before 2015, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 401 births a year.
Nina in Ireland
Nina in France
Nina in Belgium
Nina in Switzerland
Nina in Austria
Nina in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Nina
Names from the same generation as Nina, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Nina? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Nina with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Nina side by side with the name of your choice.
Nina in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nina mean?
Nina is a short form of Russian names such as Antonina, and of names ending in -nina. In Spanish, niña means "little girl". In Hebrew it is linked to Hannah, "grace".
What is the origin of the name Nina?
Several origins meet in this name. Saint Nino, or Nina, brought Christianity to Georgia in the 4th century.
Is Nina a girl's or a boy's name?
Nina is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Nina?
In 2024, Nina was the 320th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 955 births.
What are the variants of the name Nina?
Variants and related names of Nina include Anna.
What are good sibling names for Nina?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Fatima, Joanna, Heidi and Carmen for a sister, Andre, Pablo, Martin and Esteban for a brother.
Who are famous people named Nina?
Saint Nino of Georgia; Nina Simone, singer; Nina Dobrev, actress; Nina Wadia, actress.