Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Laina
GirlAmerican (modern coinage)· “modern name of uncertain origin”
- Meaning
- modern name of uncertain origin (origin disputed)
- Origin
- American (modern coinage)
- Pronunciation
- LAY-nuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,422
- US babies 2025
- 74
- Best rank
- #1,771 (2014)
- Peak year
- 2014
Meaning and origin of Laina
Laina is often said to mean “modern name of uncertain origin”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to American (modern coinage) roots.
The origin of Laina, a modern name, is uncertain. It may be a variant of Laine or Lena, or a short form of names like Elaina or Alaina, but no single source has been firmly established. In Finnish, laina is an everyday word meaning loan, which is unrelated to the given name. Because of these overlapping possibilities, the meaning is best treated as open. Laina is usually pronounced LAY-nuh. It has a soft, gentle sound and is easy to spell.
Popularity over time
Laina first appears in US Social Security records in 1906. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,771 in 2014, the same year it reached its highest count of 117 babies. In 2025, 74 babies were named Laina, and it ranked #2,422 nationally. That is 28% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,628 in 1980, #3,192 in 2000, #2,159 in 2010, and #2,422 in 2025. Of the 3,569 US girls named Laina since records began, 27% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 789 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Paizley, Braylynn, Preslie, Jaina, and Pippa.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Laina ranked highest in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | #1098 | 6 |
| Pennsylvania | #1516 | 5 |
| New York | #1958 | 6 |
| Florida | #2039 | 6 |
| California | #2945 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Laina is usually pronounced LAY-nuh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with L and ends in “-na”.
Middle names for Laina
A few middle names that flow with Laina: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Laina
Similar names
Breanna Girl
bree-AN-uh
“feminine form of Brian” · Irish
#2,548
Brenna Girl
BREH-nuh
Irish
#1,846
Ayanna Girl
eye-AH-nuh
“modern name of uncertain origin” · American (modern coinage)
#1,368
Leana Girl
lee-AH-nuh
“variant of Liana or Leanne” · American (modern coinage)
#2,424
Vianna Girl
vee-AN-uh
“uncertain; perhaps a blend of Vi and Anna” · American (modern coinage)
#3,026
Keona Girl
kee-OH-nuh
“modern name, meaning uncertain” · American (modern coinage)
#3,188
Tiana Girl
tee-AH-nuh
“short form of Christiana or Tatiana” · American (modern coinage)
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Kiana Girl
kee-AH-nuh
“modern name; uncertain origin” · American (modern coinage)
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Leanna Girl
lee-AN-uh
“blend of Lee and Anna” · American (modern coinage)
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Riana Girl
ree-AN-uh
“possibly short for Briana or Adriana” · American (modern coinage)
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Kiyana Girl
kee-AH-nuh
“modern name, origin uncertain” · American (modern coinage)
#5,162
Rihanna Girl
ree-AH-nuh
“sweet basil” · Arabic
#2,150
Lists that include Laina
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Laina mean?
Laina is often said to mean “modern name of uncertain origin”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to American (modern coinage) roots.
What is the origin of the name Laina?
Laina has modern American roots. The origin of Laina, a modern name, is uncertain.
Is Laina a popular name?
Not especially. Laina ranked #2,422 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Laina a boy or girl name?
Laina is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Laina?
Laina is usually pronounced LAY-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