Holding steady, #4,067 for girls today.
Popularity of Medina since 1948
Babies named Medina per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 5 |
| 1950s | 86 |
| 1960s | 165 |
| 1970s | 213 |
| 1980s | 192 |
| 1990s | 307 |
| 2000s | 391 |
| 2010s | 352 |
| 2020s | 276 |
Meaning & origin
Medina has been used as a given name in the United States since at least 1948, but it has never broken into widespread popularity. According to Social Security data, in 2025 it ranked 4,067, meaning roughly 1 in 45,922 baby girls received the name that year. Its popularity has remained very stable over time, with a recent peak in 2024, and it shows no signs of reviving. The name is most common in Illinois and New York, reflecting its use in communities with Muslim or Arab heritage. Medina carries a strong geographical and religious association, making it a meaningful choice for families connected to the Islamic world.
Medina derives from the Arabic word 'madīnah' (مدينة), meaning 'city' or 'town'. It is particularly associated with Al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, the holy city in Saudi Arabia that is the burial place of the Prophet Muhammad. The name has been used as a given name primarily in Muslim communities, often as a toponymic reference to the city.
Where Medina is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Medina” around the world
Where Medina lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
50
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Dina, Mina, Medi
Sibling names for Medina
Names that share Medina's style, for a brother or sister.
