Lina
LEE-nuh
Lina carries multiple origins. It is a short form of Carolina, Angelina, Paulina, and other -lina ending names across Italian, Spanish, and Arabic contexts. In Arabic lina (لينة) means “tender” or “flexible like a palm tree.”
The name has been used independently across Southern Europe, the Middle East, and Scandinavia for generations. Its brevity and cross-cultural compatibility make it one of the most internationally consistent short names for girls.
Lina ranked at No. 221 in 1880 with just 49 births. In 2024 it stands at No. 567 with 530 births — a modern revival far exceeding its limited Victorian presence.
What the name Lina means
German-American actress Lina Lamont is a fictional bearer in Singin’ in the Rain (1952). Italian singer Lina Wertmüller (1928-2021) was the first female director nominated for an Academy Award.
Two syllables — LEE-nah — with stress on the first beat. The name is simple, clear, and universally pronounceable, carrying elegance in its brevity.
Parents drawn to Lina often want a short, international name with multiple cultural roots that works equally well in European and Arabic contexts.
Related names include Lena (the Scandinavian form), Lyna, and Leena. As a standalone form, Lina is particularly strong in Italian and Arabic naming traditions.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Lina
Lina - similar names
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