Lina

The female first name Lina is usually a short and affectionate form of various names ending in '-lina' in German-speaking areas, such as Karolina ('the free'), Melina ('the honey-sweet'), or Paulina ('the little one'). However, the name Lina is also the feminine form of Linus and means 'the lamenting'.

What does the name Lina mean?

The female first name Lina is usually a short and affectionate form of various names ending in '-lina' in German-speaking areas, such as Karolina ('the free'), Melina ('the honey-sweet'), or Paulina ('the little one'). However, the name Lina is also the feminine form of Linus and then means 'the lamenting' or 'the flax'. In Arabic, Lina also stands for 'the little palm' or 'the delicate'. Its origins lie in the ancient Greek elements aílinos (αἴλινος) for 'lament song', 'to lament', or línon (λῐ́νον) for 'flax'. It is also found in the Arabic expressions līna (لِينَة) for 'palm' and layyin (لَيِّن) for 'soft', 'sensitive', 'delicate'. Lina was already a common girl's name in the 19th century. At the beginning of the 20th century, the name fell into obscurity but experienced a comeback around the turn of the millennium and has since become one of the most popular female first names in Germany and several other European countries. Variants of Lina include Linah, Lyna, and Line as well as Lining (Low German) and Linette/Linett (French). A Frisian affectionate form of Lina is also Lientje.

Where does the name Lina come from?

Etymology Lina is a female first name of ancient Greek and Arabic origin with meanings such as 'the lamenting' or 'the delicate' and others.

How do you pronounce Lina?

Sound & Pronunciation of Lina: The name Lina is two syllables and clearly structured. In German pronunciation, it is usually pronounced as 'Li-na' [ˈliːna], with the first syllable having a long 'i' that gives it a bright sound. The open 'a' at the end provides a gentle conclusion. Lina feels timeless and harmonious - simple, friendly, and present.

When is the name day of Lina?

As the feminine form of Linus, Lina celebrates its name day on September 23 in memory of Saint Linus, Bishop of Rome in the 1st century.

Popularity

The female name Lina was predominantly ranked between the top 80 and top 200 in Germany from the 1920s to the 1950s, making it a regularly given name, though not dominant. It did not achieve a placement in the absolute top group during this early phase. From the 1960s to the 1980s, the name lost popularity and temporarily slipped into the top 250 to top 400.

Nicknames & pet names

Alina / Elina / Ilina / Ina / Inchen / Inschchen / Laina / Leina / Li / Lia / Lie / Lienchen / Liiee / Lila / Lilana / Lili / Lill / Lille / Lilli / Lilo / Lin / Lina-Lou / Linachen / Linalein / Linali / Linchen / Linchen-Bienchen / Line / Linea / Lineli / Lini / Lini-Bini / Lini-Wini / Linia / Linichen / Linipi / Linka / Linlin / Linna / Linnaschenn / Linne / Linni / Linnschenn / Linnö / Lino / Linoerchen / Linola / Linsche / Linschga / Linu / Linue / Linuschka / Linusi / Lischen / Litschi / Lynie / Lønna / Lüna / Maroni / Nana / Olina / Qualina / Ulina

Similar first names

Famous people

• Book Lina (Lina's Journey to the Land of Happiness)
• Ethel Lina White (1876–1944), British author of short stories and crime novels
• Lina (character from Michel aus Lönneberga)
• Lina (2017) (Austrian film)
• Lina (poem) (from the poem 'To Lina' by Johan)
• Lina Bo Bardi (architect)
• Lina Braknyte (actress from Lithuania)
• Lina Carstens (German film and theater actress)
• Lina Englund (actress from Sweden)
• Lina Esco (American actress)
• Lina Fourie (South African badminton player)
• Lina Galli (Italian writer)
• Lina Gjorcheska (Macedonian tennis player)
• Lina Hawyani Al-Al-Hassan (writer from Syria)
• Lina Hurtig (Swedish football player)
• Lina Kostenko (* 1930), real name Ліна Костенко, Ukrainian poet
• Lina Larissa Strahl (singer and songwriter)
• Lina Liu (equestrian)
• Lina Lossen (German actress)
• Lina Magull (German football player)