Holding steady.
Popularity of Varina since 1888
Babies named Varina per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1949, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Varina's real moment was 1898.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5 |
| 1890s | 26 |
| 1900s | 0 |
| 1910s | 10 |
| 1920s | 34 |
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 15 |
| 1950s | 18 |
| 1960s | 30 |
| 1970s | 38 |
| 1980s | 21 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 10 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Varina is a rare name with an air of vintage charm, first recorded in the United States in 1888 and peaking in 1898. While it has never entered the top 1,000, it has maintained a stable presence, with consistent but low usage into 2025. Its uncertain etymology adds an element of mystery; it may be related to the name Verina or derive from a Latin root meaning true. The name carries a historical echo through Varina Davis, wife of Jefferson Davis, and remains a distinctive choice for families seeking an uncommon yet familiar-sounding name.
Varina first appeared in the United States in the late 19th century. It may be a variant of Verina, which itself is a variant of Verena, a name of uncertain origin possibly derived from the Latin 'verus' (true). Alternatively, it could be a feminine form of the Roman name Varro or a Spanish/Italian diminutive suffix '-ina' attached to a root like Vara. There is no strong consensus. The name gained some recognition as the first name of Varina Davis, wife of Confederate President Jefferson Davis.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Vara, Rina, Vee
Sibling names for Varina
Names that share Varina's style, for a brother or sister.
