Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Teena
GirlLatin, English· “variant of Tina”
- Meaning
- variant of Tina
- Origin
- Latin, English
- Pronunciation
- TEE-nuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- Unranked
- US babies 2025
- 0
- Best rank
- #522 (1956)
- Peak year
- 1956
Meaning and origin of Teena
Teena is a Latin and English name that is usually said to mean “variant of Tina”.
Teena is a respelling of Tina, which began as a short form of names ending in -tina, such as Christina, Martina and Albertina. Christina, the most common source, comes from the Latin christianus, a follower of Christ. Tina became a popular name in its own right in the mid twentieth century, and spellings like Teena spell out the long ee sound directly. It is said TEE-nuh. The singer Teena Marie helped make this spelling familiar. Teenie is a playful pet form. Teena is short, bright and easy to say, with a clear retro feel.
Other spellings with the same sound: Tina.
Popularity over time
Teena first appears in US Social Security records in 1928. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 19 different years, starting in 1951. Its best national rank was #522 in 1956, the same year it reached its highest count of 322 babies. It did not appear in the 2025 data, which only lists names given to at least five babies.
Its national rank moved from #1,239 in 1950, #1,883 in 1980, and #10,668 in 2000. Of the 5,746 US girls named Teena since records began, 31% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 1,758 babies. Since 2010, 17 more have been named Teena.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Leesa, Roxane, Mariann, Dinah, and Geralyn.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Teena is usually pronounced TEE-nuh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with T and ends in “-na”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Tina.
Middle names for Teena
A few middle names that flow with Teena: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Teena
Similar names
Shanna Girl
SHA-nuh
“variant of Shannon, or of Shana” · Irish
#12,982
Lana Girl
LAH-nuh
“short form of Alana or Svetlana” · English
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Dana Girl
DAY-nuh
“uncertain; several possible origins” · English
#1,027
Nona Girl
NOH-nuh
“ninth” · Latin
#8,725
Deanna Girl
dee-AN-uh
“variant of Diana” · English
#2,175
Gina Girl
JEE-nuh
“short form of Regina or Georgina” · Italian
#2,085
Dianna Girl
dy-AN-uh
“variant of Diana; divine” · Latin
#2,566
Nena Girl
NAY-nuh
“little girl; also short form of names” · Spanish
rare
Dayna Girl
DAY-nuh
“variant of Dana” · English
#6,604
Mena Girl
MEE-nuh
“variant of Mina” · German
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Luna Girl
LOO-nuh
“moon” · Latin
#27
Jenna Girl
JEN-uh
“variant of Jennifer, 'fair one'” · English
#679
Lists that include Teena
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Teena mean?
Teena is a Latin and English name that is usually said to mean “variant of Tina”.
What is the origin of the name Teena?
Teena has Latin and English roots. Teena is a respelling of Tina, which began as a short form of names ending in -tina, such as Christina, Martina and Albertina.
Is Teena a popular name?
No. Teena was not recorded for five or more babies of its most common sex in 2025, so it is rare today.
Is Teena a boy or girl name?
Teena is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Teena?
Teena is usually pronounced TEE-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