Declining since 2002, #4,172 for girls today.
Popularity of Dinah since 1880
Babies named Dinah per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 83 |
| 1890s | 87 |
| 1900s | 113 |
| 1910s | 227 |
| 1920s | 244 |
| 1930s | 289 |
| 1940s | 1,592 |
| 1950s | 2,903 |
| 1960s | 1,626 |
| 1970s | 836 |
| 1980s | 628 |
| 1990s | 509 |
| 2000s | 619 |
| 2010s | 502 |
| 2020s | 251 |
Meaning & origin
Dinah has a long history as a biblical name, featured in the Old Testament as the daughter of Jacob. In the United States, its popularity peaked in 1955, when it ranked highest in usage. Since 2002, its usage has been steadily falling, and as of 2025 it ranks 4,172, given to around 1 in 47,273 newborn girls. The name is primarily associated with Jewish and Christian communities, and it has maintained a consistent, if low, presence over the decades. Despite its decline, Dinah remains a recognizable and traditional choice.
Dinah is a Hebrew name from the Old Testament, meaning 'God has judged' or 'judged by God'. It is the name of Jacob's daughter in the Book of Genesis. The name has been used consistently among English speakers since the Protestant Reformation, particularly in Puritan communities. Its popularity in the U.S. peaked in the 1950s, partly influenced by the folk song 'Dinah' and the jazz standard 'Dinah'.
Where Dinah is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Dinah” around the world
Where Dinah lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Dina, Dinny, Dee
Variants: Dina
Sibling names for Dinah
Names that share Dinah's style, for a brother or sister.
