Regina
/ɹɪ.ˈd͡ʒi.nə/
Regina means “queen” in Latin - a direct, unambiguous meaning that has given the name regal authority for nearly 2000 years.
It was used as a Christian name from early times, borne by a 2nd-century saint, and in medieval England it honored the Virgin Mary as Queen of Heaven.
The name enjoyed strong mid-century popularity in the US, peaking at No. 80 in 1967. It was particularly favored in Italian-American and Hispanic communities, where the Latin original needed no translation.
What the name Regina means
The decline since has been long but dignified. Regina ranked No. 340 in 2024 with 911 births, a far cry from its 1960s peak but still enough to maintain a solid chart presence. The name has held relatively steady through the 2020s.
Pop culture has given Regina complex associations. The character Regina George in Mean Girls (2004) and Regina Mills in Once Upon a Time both played powerful, sometimes antagonistic figures - fitting for a name meaning “queen.”
The 3-syllable pronunciation (reh-JEE-nuh) has a formal, commanding sound. In Italian, the stress shifts (reh-JEE-nah), offering a softer variant.
After decades of declining use, Regina has reached a point where it sounds fresh to new generations of parents. Its meaning is magnificent, its history is deep, and its current rarity gives it an exclusivity that the name’s literal meaning demands.
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 Regina
Regina - similar names
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