A 1970s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Felina since 1959
Babies named Felina per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1971, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Felina's real moment was 1977.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 5 |
| 1960s | 17 |
| 1970s | 109 |
| 1980s | 103 |
| 1990s | 73 |
| 2000s | 32 |
| 2010s | 27 |
| 2020s | 22 |
Meaning & origin
Felina is a rare but melodic name with Latin roots, likely connected to the word 'feline' or as a variant of Felicia. First recorded in the U.S. in 1959, it saw its peak usage in 1977 but has been rising again since 2021, reaching its highest recent rank in 2025 at 13,208. Approximately 1 in 267,878 girls are now named Felina, making it an uncommon choice with a modern, gentle sound. The name has no strong association with any particular state, reflecting its scattered but growing appeal. Its upward trajectory suggests a quiet revival, possibly driven by parents seeking rare names with a soft, feminine feel.
Felina is likely a variant of Felicia, the feminine form of the Latin name Felix, meaning 'happy' or 'lucky', or a direct derivation from the Latin 'felinus' meaning 'catlike'. The name has seen sporadic use in the United States since the mid-20th century, often chosen for its melodic sound and connection to the word 'feline'.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Feli, Lina, Fela
Sibling names for Felina
Names that share Felina's style, for a brother or sister.
