Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Nina
GirlRussian, Italian· “short form of names like Antonina”
- Meaning
- short form of names like Antonina
- Origin
- Russian, Italian
- Pronunciation
- NEE-nuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #324
- US babies 2025
- 946
- Best rank
- #115 (1887)
- Peak year
- 1980
Meaning and origin of Nina
Nina is a Russian and Italian name that is usually said to mean “short form of names like Antonina”.
Nina began as a short form of Russian and Italian names ending in -nina, such as Antonina and Giovannina, and sometimes of Anna. It became an independent name in many European countries, and in Spanish it echoes niña, little girl, though that link is by coincidence. In Georgia, Saint Nino, who brought Christianity to the country, is known in other languages as Saint Nina. The singer Nina Simone gave the name a strong artistic image. Nina is short, international and easy to spell, feeling both classic and stylish in English.
Popularity over time
Nina 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 146 different years. Its best national rank was #115 in 1887, and the most babies received it in 1980, when 1,889 were named Nina. In 2025, 946 babies were named Nina, and it ranked #324 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #179 in 1920, #238 in 1950, #148 in 1980, #219 in 2000, #318 in 2010, and #324 in 2025. Of the 133,788 US girls named Nina since records began, 10% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 12,884 babies. Since 2010, 16,354 more have been named Nina.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Trisha, Latasha, Meredith, Brianne, and Tasha.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Nina ranked highest in District of Columbia, Connecticut, and New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | #88 | 9 |
| Connecticut | #134 | 23 |
| New York | #161 | 102 |
| Massachusetts | #178 | 32 |
| New Jersey | #184 | 45 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Nina is usually pronounced NEE-nuh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with N and ends in “-na”.
Middle names for Nina
A few middle names that flow with Nina: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Nina
Similar names
Lina Girl
LEE-nuh
“tender; short for -lina names” · Arabic
#572
Gina Girl
JEE-nuh
“short form of Regina or Georgina” · Italian
#2,085
Gianna Girl
jee-AH-nuh
“God is gracious” · Italian
#33
Zina Girl
ZEE-nuh
“short for Zinaida; meaning uncertain” · Russian
#7,486
Angelina Girl
an-juh-LEE-nuh
“little angel; messenger” · Italian
#347
Adriana Girl
ay-dree-AH-nuh
“from Hadria” · Latin
#366
Ana Girl
AH-nuh
“grace, favor (form of Anna)” · Spanish
#245
Jenna Girl
JEN-uh
“variant of Jennifer, 'fair one'” · English
#679
Adrianna Girl
ay-dree-AN-uh
“from Hadria” · Latin
#872
Karina Girl
kuh-REE-nuh
“dear; also a form of Karin” · Scandinavian
#750
Hanna Girl
HA-nuh
“grace, favor” · Hebrew
#512
Dayana Girl
dah-YAH-nuh
“form of Diana; divine” · Spanish
#716
Lists that include Nina
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nina mean?
Nina is a Russian and Italian name that is usually said to mean “short form of names like Antonina”.
What is the origin of the name Nina?
Nina has Russian, Italian, and Spanish roots. Nina began as a short form of Russian and Italian names ending in -nina, such as Antonina and Giovannina, and sometimes of Anna.
Is Nina a popular name?
Yes. Nina ranked #324 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Nina a boy or girl name?
Nina is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Nina?
Nina is usually pronounced NEE-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