Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Lina
GirlArabic, Italian· “tender; short for -lina names”
- Meaning
- tender; short for -lina names
- Origin
- Arabic, Italian
- Pronunciation
- LEE-nuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #572
- US babies 2025
- 527
- Best rank
- #221 (1880)
- Peak year
- 2024
Meaning and origin of Lina
Lina is an Arabic and Italian name that is usually said to mean “tender; short for -lina names”.
Lina has several independent sources. In Arabic it is usually explained as tender or delicate, and it is also linked to a word for a kind of palm tree. In European languages Lina began as a short form of names ending in -lina or -line, such as Carolina, Angelina and Paulina, and in Italian also of Pasqualina and Michelina. It is common in Germany, Italy, Scandinavia and Greece as well as in Arabic-speaking countries. The Italian director Lina Wertmüller was the first woman nominated for the Academy Award for best director.
Popularity over time
Lina has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 91 different years. Its best national rank was #221 in 1880, and the most babies received it in 2024, when 534 were named Lina. In 2025, 527 babies were named Lina, and it ranked #572 nationally. That is 60% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #691 in 1920, #1,151 in 1950, #970 in 1980, #1,136 in 2000, #855 in 2010, and #572 in 2025. Of the 19,489 US girls named Lina since records began, 18% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 2,942 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Reyna, Amaia, Noemi, Sariyah, and Holland.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Lina ranked highest in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | #276 | 12 |
| Massachusetts | #296 | 20 |
| New Jersey | #332 | 25 |
| Virginia | #340 | 24 |
| New York | #363 | 47 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Lina is usually pronounced LEE-nuh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with L and ends in “-na”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Lena, Leena, and Leana.
Middle names for Lina
A few middle names that flow with Lina: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Lina
Similar names
Hana Girl
HAH-nuh
“flower; also bliss” · Japanese
#658
Gianna Girl
jee-AH-nuh
“God is gracious” · Italian
#33
Nina Girl
NEE-nuh
“short form of names like Antonina” · Russian
#324
Sana Girl
SAH-nuh
“radiance, brilliance” · Arabic
#1,434
Zaina Girl
ZAY-nuh
“beautiful; variant of Zayna” · Arabic
#1,316
Liyana Girl
lee-YAH-nuh
“softness, tenderness” · Arabic
#1,059
Zayna Girl
ZAY-nuh
“beautiful, adorned” · Arabic
#1,499
Senna Girl
SEN-uh
“possibly the senna plant, or Arabic brilliance” · Arabic
#1,757
Muna Girl
MOO-nuh
“wishes, desires” · Arabic
#3,436
Ariana Girl
ar-ee-AH-nuh
“most holy; form of Ariadne” · Italian
#128
Arianna Girl
ar-ee-AH-nuh
“most holy” · Italian
#234
Angelina Girl
an-juh-LEE-nuh
“little angel; messenger” · Italian
#347
Lists that include Lina
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lina mean?
Lina is an Arabic and Italian name that is usually said to mean “tender; short for -lina names”.
What is the origin of the name Lina?
Lina has Arabic and Italian roots. Lina has several independent sources.
Is Lina a popular name?
Yes. Lina ranked #572 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Lina a boy or girl name?
Lina is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Lina?
Lina is usually pronounced LEE-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