Regina
Regina Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
/ɹɪ.ˈd͡ʒi.nə/
Meaning of Regina: The name Regina derives directly from Latin regina, meaning "queen," the feminine form of rex (king). According to Online Etymology Dictionary, the Latin root reg- meaning to rule underlies regal, reign, and regent - giving Regina a linguistic family spanning the entire history of Western governance vocabulary.
In Catholic tradition, Regina became a title for the Virgin Mary as Regina Coeli (Queen of Heaven), expressed in liturgical texts from the early medieval period. According to Britannica, the Regina Coeli prayer dates to at least the 12th century and was traditionally recited during the Easter season. That devotional use transformed Regina from a title into a sacred given name in Catholic communities across Europe and the Americas.
According to SSA records, Regina ranked #340 for girls in the most recent annual count, with 911 births recorded. The name peaked in 1967, reflecting mid-century popularity in American Catholic communities where Marian names enjoyed widespread use. Regina appeared consistently in the top 100 girl names from the 1940s through the 1970s.
What Does Regina Mean? Origin & Etymology
In Canada, Regina carries geographic resonance as the capital city of Saskatchewan, named in honor of Queen Victoria in 1882. That place-name association gives Regina a North American cultural layer distinct from its purely religious European history.
The film Mean Girls (2004) featured a character named Regina George, giving the name renewed cultural visibility through satirical portrayal of queen-bee social dynamics - a comedic use that played directly on the name's literal royal meaning and reached a large younger American audience.
How Popular Is Regina?
Numerology & Symbolism of Regina
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Regina – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Regina
What does the name Regina mean?
The name Regina derives from Old English roots, reflecting the Anglo-Saxon naming tradition that predates the Norman Conquest. Names of this origin typically referenced personal qualities, natural features, or family lineage meaningful to early English-speaking communities.
How popular is the name Regina in the United States?
According to SSA records, Regina ranked #340 for girl names in the United States, with 911 births recorded in the most recent annual count. The name hit its highest SSA rank in 1967. It has held a consistent place in US naming statistics across multiple decades.
Where does the name Regina come from?
The name Regina comes from English. It entered English use through the linguistic and cultural channels typical of English-origin names—whether through religious texts, migration, or the prestige associated with classical learning. Today it is recognized as a girl’s name across the English-speaking world.