Nina

Updated: October 30, 2023 by Olivia Mittak

Nina is a world-class baby name for girls. Short and sweet, the name has a pleasant tone that resonates in popular culture. Nina Price is the name of a popular Marvel Comics character, and Nina Sayers is the protagonist of the film Black Swan. Keep reading to learn more about this baby name.

Meaning and Origin of the Name Nina:

Nina is a world-renowned name with several possible etymologies. In Eastern European and Slavic countries, Nina is a diminutive of names like Antonina and Giannina. Antonina derives from the Old Latin name Antōnius and means “priceless,” “praiseworthy,” or “esteemed”. Some etymologists also link the name Antonina to the Greek word anthos (meaning “flower”). Giannina derives from the Greek name Ioannes (a variation of the Hebrew name Yochanan that means “God is gracious”).

Nina has various meanings in other languages. In Spanish, Nina is a spin on the word niña (meaning “girl”). Native American languages like Quechua and Aymara use Nina to describe “fire”. And in the ancient languages of Akkadian, Sumerian, and Babylonia, Nina derived from the word Ninua (meaning “fish”).

Symbolism of the Name Nina:

Nina has different meanings around the world, and it is the name of at least two goddesses in human history. In the indigenous religions of the Americas, Nina is the Incan goddess of fire. Her symbols included the sun and the campfire. In Akkaddian religion, Nina was an incarnation of the goddess Ishtar (also known as Nin in some dialects). Nina was the goddess of oceans, and her central place of worship was the ancient city of Nineveh. Her primary symbol was ninua (an enclosure of fish that represented fertility).

Nicknames for the Name Nina:

Unlike many other names, there aren't many nicknames that can be derived from Nina. If you're interested in this name, don't despair. There are still some great choices: