Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Zina
GirlRussian, Greek· “short for Zinaida; meaning uncertain”
- Meaning
- short for Zinaida; meaning uncertain (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Russian, Greek
- Pronunciation
- ZEE-nuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #7,486
- US babies 2025
- 15
- Best rank
- #338 (1964)
- Peak year
- 1964
Meaning and origin of Zina
Zina is often said to mean “short for Zinaida; meaning uncertain”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Russian and Greek roots.
Zina is best known as a Russian short form of Zinaida, from the Greek Zenais, "of Zeus." It is also used as a pet form of longer names ending in -zina, such as Zinovia, which is why the meaning of Zina on its own is uncertain. The Symbolist poet Zinaida Gippius was a leading figure of Russian literature around the turn of the twentieth century. It is said ZEE-nuh. Zena and Xena are similar names. In Arabic, zina is an unrelated word with a strongly negative meaning, something families with Arabic-speaking relatives may want to know.
Popularity over time
Zina first appears in US Social Security records in 1884. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 10 different years, starting in 1884. Its best national rank was #338 in 1964, the same year it reached its highest count of 793 babies. In 2025, 15 babies were named Zina, and it ranked #7,486 nationally. That is 40% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,750 in 1920, #2,907 in 1950, #3,132 in 1980, #5,148 in 2000, #6,637 in 2010, and #7,486 in 2025. Of the 5,063 US girls named Zina since records began, 48% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. Since 2010, 483 more have been named Zina.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Suzette, Polly, Rosalind, Valarie, and Leann.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Zina is usually pronounced ZEE-nuh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with Z and ends in “-na”.
Middle names for Zina
A few middle names that flow with Zina: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Zina
Similar names
Nina Girl
NEE-nuh
“short form of names like Antonina” · Russian
#324
Rena Girl
REE-nuh
“short form of Irene or Rina” · Greek
#2,402
Zena Girl
ZEE-nuh
“variant of Xenia: hospitality” · Greek
#2,457
Anna Girl
AN-uh
“grace, favor” · Hebrew
#107
Sasha Girl
SAH-shuh
“defender of the people” · Russian
#684
Lara Girl
LAHR-uh
“short for Larisa; uncertain” · Russian
#693
Sonia Girl
SOHN-yuh
“wisdom; pet form of Sophia” · Russian
#1,307
Sonya Girl
SOHN-yuh
“wisdom” · Russian
#1,939
Katiana Girl
kat-ee-AH-nuh
“variant of Katia or Tatiana” · Russian
#8,099
Oksana Girl
ok-SAH-nuh
“Slavic form of Xenia, hospitality” · Russian
#7,404
Xena Girl
ZEE-nuh
“hospitable, guest” · Greek
#1,270
Yana Girl
YAH-nuh
“God is gracious” · Russian
#2,409
Lists that include Zina
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Zina mean?
Zina is often said to mean “short for Zinaida; meaning uncertain”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Russian and Greek roots.
What is the origin of the name Zina?
Zina has Russian and Greek roots. Zina is best known as a Russian short form of Zinaida, from the Greek Zenais, "of Zeus." It is also used as a pet form of longer names ending in -zina, such as Zinovia, which is why the meaning of Zina on its own is uncertain.
Is Zina a popular name?
Not especially. Zina ranked #7,486 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Zina a boy or girl name?
Zina is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Zina?
Zina is usually pronounced ZEE-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