Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Nina has origins in Spanish and Hebrew, meaning 'little girl,' 'dreamer,' and 'grace.' Its language path includes forms from Old French and it gained significant popularity in the 20th century. Traits associated with the name include charm and elegance, and it has become widely recognized through notable figures such as Nina Simone and Nina Dobrev. The name does not have biblical relevance.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈniːnə/
Origin
Spanish, Hebrew
Etymology
The name Nina is derived from the Spanish word for 'little girl' or 'dreamer.' In Hebrew, it is associated with a term meaning 'grace.'
Meaning
dreamer, little girl, grace
Language Evolution
Nina (Spanish), Nin (Hebrew), Nina (Old French)
Historical Usage
The name Nina gained popularity in the 20th century, especially in Spanish-speaking countries, and has since spread to various cultures around the world.
Variants & Derivatives
Ninette, Ninny, Ninnyhammock
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Nina is perceived as a charming and elegant name, often associated with femininity and grace.
Famous People
Nina Simone (singer and civil rights activist), Nina Garcia (fashion director and television personality), Nina Dobrev (actress)
📊 Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 1,896 peak births in 1980
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in West Virginia
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (2 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 2 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 4998th of 7545 | 32 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 4100th of 6773 | 52 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 4781st of 7552 | 39 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 6561st of 10718 | 33 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 6742nd of 16616 | 84 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 181st of 9107 | 21,385 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 199th of 9204 | 17,186 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 238th of 12526 | 22,947 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 299th of 19264 | 13,885 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 234th of 27321 | 19,226 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 257th of 35406 | 20,095 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 319th of 30306 | 12,246 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - |
54.51% 2831st/5194 |
- |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
11.44% 162nd/1416 |
16.03% 221st/1379 |
6.68% 158th/2366 |
16.02% 183rd/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
12.87% 199th/1546 |
13.88% 216th/1556 |
7.86% 185th/2353 |
14.35% 222nd/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
11.32% 252nd/2227 |
8.40% 204th/2430 |
8.66% 247th/2853 |
9.23% 256th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
10.55% 310th/2937 |
7.18% 250th/3483 |
8.67% 305th/3518 |
7.76% 314th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
6.35% 234th/3685 |
3.58% 160th/4475 |
5.04% 262nd/5194 |
4.48% 283rd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
5.48% 251st/4582 |
2.87% 148th/5164 |
4.47% 327th/7313 |
4.31% 322nd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
8.38% 334th/3984 |
4.03% 181st/4487 |
6.30% 430th/6822 |
5.29% 332nd/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in West Virginia across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been stalled for female in MidWest, too falling for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, too falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 4998th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 4100th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4781st out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 6561st out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 6742nd out of 16616 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 181st out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 199th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 238th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 299th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 234th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 257th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 319th out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.