What Does the Name Nina Mean?
Nina is a girl's name of Multicultural (Slavic, Spanish, Babylonian) origin meaning “Varies: diminutive of names ending in -nina; Spanish 'niña' (little girl); also a Babylonian/Sumerian goddess name.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Nina |
|---|---|
| Gender | female |
| Origin | Multicultural (Slavic, Spanish, Babylonian) |
| Meaning | Varies: diminutive of names ending in -nina; Spanish 'niña' (little girl); also a Babylonian/Sumerian goddess name |
| Variants | Ninah, Nena, Nin, Ninette |
| Popularity | Consistently popular worldwide and steady in the US top 300-500; a perennial favorite in Italy, the Slavic countries, and Latin America. |
The meaning and origin of Nina
The name Nina means “Varies: diminutive of names ending in -nina; Spanish 'niña' (little girl); also a Babylonian/Sumerian goddess name” and has Multicultural (Slavic, Spanish, Babylonian) origins. A name with several independent roots: a Slavic and Italian short form of names like Antonina and Giannina, a Spanish word for 'little girl,' and an ancient Mesopotamian goddess name. It is used as a standalone name across many cultures.
Variants and related names
Nina is related to several other names you may recognize: Ninah, Nena, Nin, Ninette. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Nina?
Consistently popular worldwide and steady in the US top 300-500; a perennial favorite in Italy, the Slavic countries, and Latin America.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nina mean?+
The name Nina means “Varies: diminutive of names ending in -nina; Spanish 'niña' (little girl); also a Babylonian/Sumerian goddess name” and is of Multicultural (Slavic, Spanish, Babylonian) origin.
What is the origin of the name Nina?+
Nina originates from Multicultural (Slavic, Spanish, Babylonian).
Is Nina a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Nina has trended in the US over time.
Nina by gender
More girl's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press