Hannah Girl
HA-nuh
“grace, favor” · Hebrew
#56
Carina
GirlLatin, Italian· “dear one; also 'keel'”
- Meaning
- dear one; also 'keel'
- Origin
- Latin, Italian
- Pronunciation
- kuh-REE-nuh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #1,572
- US babies 2025
- 134
- Best rank
- #383 (1995)
- Peak year
- 1995
Meaning and origin of Carina
Carina is a Latin and Italian name that is usually said to mean “dear one; also 'keel'”.
Carina has two roots. In Italian it is a diminutive of cara, dear, and is used as an affectionate name. In Latin, carina means the keel of a ship, and Carina is also the name of a southern constellation that was once part of the larger constellation Argo Navis, the ship of the Argonauts. The name is used in many European countries and in the English-speaking world. Carina feels graceful and warm with a touch of starry mystery. Cari and Rina are sweet nicknames.
Popularity over time
Carina first appears in US Social Security records in 1914. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 35 different years, starting in 1976. Its best national rank was #383 in 1995, the same year it reached its highest count of 689 babies. In 2025, 134 babies were named Carina, and it ranked #1,572 nationally. That is 46% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #759 in 1980, #567 in 2000, #948 in 2010, and #1,572 in 2025. Of the 16,494 US girls named Carina since records began, 32% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 3,652 babies. Since 2010, 3,352 more have been named Carina.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Breana, Selina, Antonia, Larissa, and Maranda.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Carina ranked highest in Washington, Florida, and Pennsylvania.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | #946 | 6 |
| Florida | #1008 | 15 |
| Pennsylvania | #1034 | 8 |
| California | #1092 | 24 |
| New Jersey | #1208 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Carina is usually pronounced kuh-REE-nuh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with C and ends in “-na”.
Middle names for Carina
A few middle names that flow with Carina: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Carina
Similar names
Silvana Girl
sihl-VAH-nuh
“of the forest” · Latin
#3,339
Adrianna Girl
ay-dree-AN-uh
“from Hadria” · Latin
#872
Marina Girl
muh-REE-nuh
“of the sea” · Latin
#602
Lilianna Girl
lil-ee-AH-nuh
“lily” · Latin
#891
Cristina Girl
krihs-TEE-nuh
“follower of Christ” · Spanish
#1,622
Deanna Girl
dee-AN-uh
“variant of Diana” · English
#2,175
Lorena Girl
loh-REH-nuh
“from Lorraine” · Spanish
#1,293
Selina Girl
suh-LEE-nuh
“uncertain; possibly moon” · Greek
#1,278
Solana Girl
soh-LAH-nuh
“sunshine” · Spanish
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Sabina Girl
suh-BEE-nuh
“Sabine woman” · Latin
#2,579
Corina Girl
kaw-REE-nuh
“maiden” · Greek
#3,921
Adriana Girl
ay-dree-AH-nuh
“from Hadria” · Latin
#366
Lists that include Carina
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Carina mean?
Carina is a Latin and Italian name that is usually said to mean “dear one; also 'keel'”.
What is the origin of the name Carina?
Carina has Latin and Italian roots. Carina has two roots.
Is Carina a popular name?
Not especially. Carina ranked #1,572 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Carina a boy or girl name?
Carina is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Carina?
Carina is usually pronounced kuh-REE-nuh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings