Girl
Spanish / Hebrew / Slavic
2 syllables
Nina
NEE-nah
/ˈniːnə/
"The graceful little one" — a name of global elegance, warmth, and enduring charm
Nina is a name of remarkable international reach, used across Spanish, Italian, Russian, Slavic, Hebrew, Georgian, and many other cultures, each with its own shade of meaning. In Spanish it means 'little girl,' in Hebrew it can relate to grace or favor, in Slavic languages it is an independent name with Georgian origins meaning 'God is gracious,' and in Quechua it means 'fire.' This universality gives Nina a lovely quality—it belongs to the world. With its short, open sound, Nina has always felt both intimate and sophisticated.
Quick Facts
Letters4
SyllablesNi · na
GenderGirl
OriginSpanish / Hebrew / Slavic
Root WordNina
MeaningLittle girl, grace, fire
PopularityPopular
Peak Year1975
Trend
→ Stable
Name DayJanuary 14
Nicknames
NiNinny
About the Name Nina
Nina carries different meanings across cultures. In Spanish, nina means 'little girl.' In Hebrew, it relates to grace or favor. In Georgian tradition, it derives from Saint Nino and means 'God is gracious.' In the Quechua language of South America, nina means 'fire.' This rich multicultural range of meanings makes Nina a uniquely universal name.
Nina is very popular in Russia and Eastern Europe, where it has been used for over a century. It is particularly beloved in Georgia (the country), where it is associated with Saint Nino, the fourth-century missionary who Christianized the nation. In Russia and Ukraine, Nina has been one of the most popular women's names throughout the twentieth century.
Ninas are typically described as warm, artistic, and quietly captivating. The name evokes a woman of understated elegance—someone who carries herself with natural grace and has a rich inner world. People named Nina tend to be intuitive, creative, and deeply engaging to those who know them.
Nina has maintained steady popularity in the United States since the mid-twentieth century, typically hovering in the top 200-300. It is far more popular in Europe, where it consistently ranks in the top 50-100 in countries like Germany, Sweden, and France. Globally, Nina is one of the most recognized feminine names across multiple cultures.
Nina's short, elegant two syllables pair well with both simple and elaborate middle names. Beautiful combinations include Nina Rose, Nina Grace, Nina Marie, Nina Elise, and Nina Celeste. For an international flair, Nina Sofia or Nina Valentina sound wonderfully cosmopolitan.
Nina has multiple origins. It functions as a short form of names like Anna, Annina, and Antonina in several European traditions. In Georgia and Eastern Europe, it is associated with Saint Nino of Cappadocia (fourth century AD), who brought Christianity to Georgia. The name is also used independently in Spanish-speaking cultures. Its broad international adoption means it feels simultaneously native in dozens of cultures.
Personality of Nina
Perceived character traits commonly associated with people named Nina
Creativity
85%
Elegance
85%
Independence
80%
Intelligence
84%
Strength
76%
Warmth
88%
Famous People Named Nina
N
Nina Simone
American jazz, soul, and blues singer, pianist, and civil rights activist
N
Nina Dobrev
Bulgarian-Canadian actress known for The Vampire Diaries
N
Nina Garcia
Colombian-American fashion journalist and Project Runway judge
N
Nina Ricci
Italian-French fashion designer, founder of the Nina Ricci fashion house
N
Nina (Chekhov's The Seagull)
The aspiring actress protagonist of Anton Chekhov's masterpiece
Middle Names for Nina
Beautiful combinations that flow well with Nina
Nina Rose
Nina Grace
Nina Marie
Nina Elise
Nina Claire
Nina Celeste
Nina Renee
Nina Belle
Nina Jade
Nina Sofia
Nina Valentina
Nina Simone
Names Similar to Nina
Similar Sound
Similar Meaning
Sibling Name Ideas
History of Nina
340 AD
Saint Nino of Cappadocia brings Christianity to Georgia, her name evolving into Nina
1800s
Nina is widely used across Europe as both an independent name and diminutive of Anna
1958
Nina Simone releases her debut album Little Girl Blue, elevating the name globally
1970s
Nina peaks in US popularity, a stylish choice across cultures
2010s
Nina remains steadily popular worldwide, particularly in Europe and Latin America
Numerology & Symbolism of Nina
2
Destiny Number
Sum of all letters
1
Soul Urge
Sum of vowels
♍
Zodiac Affinity
Libra
5
Lucky Number
Personal power digit
🎨
Lucky Color
Rose Pink
💎
Lucky Stone
Rose Quartz
🌸
Lucky Flower
Carnation
Nina Around the World
How Nina is written in different languages and scripts
نينا
Arabic
ニーナ
Japanese
Нина
Russian
니나
Korean
妮娜
Chinese
Νίνα
Greek
नीना
Hindi
נינה
Hebrew
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