"pure, holy (Latin diminutive suffix used as name)"
Ina
Pronunciation: [ EEN-uh ]
Does Ina flow with your last name?
A quietly elegant classic spanning continents
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Similar Names
Names Like Ina
Same sound, same style — different options
Meaning & Origin
"from Ing, Norse deity of fertility"
"moon goddess (Polynesian)"
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Similar to Ina
See all →What the Ina report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Ina the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Put Ina head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →The Story of Ina
Ina has several independent origins. In Latin, -ina is a feminine diminutive suffix used to create names like Carolina and Cristina — when used alone, Ina functions as a complete name meaning pure or holy (cognate with Agnes). In Old Norse, Ina may derive from Ing or Ingrid, referencing the Norse deity Ing/Ingvi, associated with fertility and prosperity. In Polynesian tradition, Ina is a moon goddess, central to creation mythology across Pacific Island cultures.
Ina was a popular given name in Scandinavian and Germanic countries from the 19th century through the mid-20th century. In America, it peaked in the early 1900s. It remains best known today through Ina Garten, whose cooking show and bestselling cookbooks brought the name back into public consciousness.
In Polynesian mythology, Ina (or Hina) is one of the most important deities — a moon goddess who navigated the Pacific, bringing light and civilization. In Germanic countries, Ina has centuries of use as both a standalone name and a nickname for longer names ending in -ina.
Historical Record
Ina first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 5,999 babies have been named Ina in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Ina is past its peak , currently ranked #2,639 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- In Polynesian mythology, Ina is a moon goddess and great navigator who paddled a canoe across the Pacific
- Ina Garten, known as the Barefoot Contessa, is one of the most successful cookbook authors in American history
Ina in Other Languages
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Ina
Ina Garten
Other
1948
American cookbook author and television personality known as the Barefoot Contessa
Ina Balin
Actor
1937
American film actress and humanitarian known for her roles in 1960s Hollywood films and her charity work in Vietnam
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,639
- Total SSA Count
- 66
- Cultural Origins
- Scandinavian Germanic Slavic Polynesian English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Ina
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Ina fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Ina is also used as a boy name, ranked #32983.
View Ina as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Ina →For Parents
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Ina with...
Same Origin Names (Scandinavian)
See all Scandinavian names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Ina
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Ina and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Ina sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →Hebrew origin
"good, goodness"
#2,661 in US
Hebrew origin
"nation, community"
#2,724 in US
Old French origin
"song of joy, joyful song"
#2,640 in US
Greek origin
"honey"
#2,464 in US
Hebrew (variant interpretation) origin
"rose"
#2,837 in US
Hawaiian origin
"celestial radiance"
#2,596 in US
Old English origin
"homestead by the stream"
#2,838 in US
Old High German origin
"of noble birth"
#2,794 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Ina's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ina
What does the name Ina mean?
What is the origin of the name Ina?
Is Ina a boy or girl name?
How do you pronounce Ina?
How popular is the name Ina?
What are good middle names for Ina?
What are good sibling names for Ina?
How many syllables does Ina have?
Is Ina a common or rare name?
About the Name Ina
Ina is a girl name with Scandinavian, Germanic, Slavic, Polynesian, and English origins . The name means "pure, holy (Latin diminutive suffix used as name)" in Latin .
Is Ina a boy or girl name? Ina is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,639 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #32,983. Ina is more commonly used as a girl name.
Ina is currently ranked #2,639 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Ina has 2 syllables and is pronounced EEN-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Ina include Inaya, Inara, Inayah, Inaaya, Inari . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Recommended for Parents
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis