Declining since 1996, #749 for girls today.
Popularity of Karina since 1956
Babies named Karina per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 51 |
| 1960s | 686 |
| 1970s | 2,860 |
| 1980s | 8,371 |
| 1990s | 22,612 |
| 2000s | 17,080 |
| 2010s | 7,376 |
| 2020s | 2,428 |
Meaning & origin
Karina entered the U.S. naming charts in 1956 and reached its peak rank in 1995, when it was at its highest. Since 1996, its usage has been on a steady decline; in 2025 it ranks 749th, with approximately 1 in 4,428 newborn girls receiving the name. The name has been most popular in California, Minnesota, and Kentucky. Karina's dual etymological roots in the Greek-derived Katherine and the Latin 'carina' give it both a classic and romantic appeal, while its Scandinavian and Russian forms add a multicultural flair. It remains a familiar yet not overused choice, with a gentle sound that pairs well with many sibling names.
Karina is a Scandinavian and Russian short form of Katherine, ultimately from the Greek Aikaterine, meaning 'pure'. It also coincides with the Latin word 'carina' meaning 'keel' and, by extension, 'beloved'. As a given name, it has been used across Northern and Eastern Europe since the 19th century.
Where Karina 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.
“Karina” around the world
Where Karina lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Ireland
3
babies in 2025
Quebec
5
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kari, Rina, Kara
Sibling names for Karina
Names that share Karina's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Sofia, Natalia, Lena, Mira, Anya, Marissa, Celena, Fonda, Katrena, Lorissa, Petrina, Zuleyka, Annissa, Dorena, Ericca, Erikka, Felina, Jolisa, Kabrina, Katera, Korinna, Maleena, Marysa, Saleena, Sareena, Sherena, Talina, Yanina, Avriana, Cortina, Jelina, Karlina, Klarisa, Korena, Milisa, Sharis, Torina, Zerina, Marleena, Carlicia, Jasenia, Jenisa, Joleena, Kelita, Korayma, Ronnika, Taccara, Tereka
Brothers: Dmitri, Nikolai, Erik, Lucas, Mateo, Jarrel, Kedric, Jonavin, Marvion
Names like Karina
Names whose popularity has moved with Karina's over the last 50 years.
