"of the sea, maritime"
Origin: Latin (marinus)
Language: English
Marina
Pronunciation: [ m-er-EEN-uh ]
Does Marina flow with your last name?
A seaside classic that travels beautifully across cultures
Italian
Spanish
Russian
Portuguese
English
Elegant
Classic
Sophisticated
Literary
Earthy
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Marina
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"sea, ocean"
Origin: Latin
Language: Italian
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The Story of Marina
Marina comes from the Latin 'marinus' meaning 'of the sea'. It may have originated as a title for coastal settlements or shrines to the Virgin Mary near the water, or as a feminine form of Marinus, a saint's name. Saint Marina the Monk (circa 8th century) was a Syrian woman who disguised herself as a male monk to join a monastery—a fascinating story of devotion that became beloved in Eastern Christianity.
Marina has been steadily popular across Mediterranean Europe for centuries and remains a top name in Spain, Italy, Russia, and Portugal. In English-speaking countries it appeals to parents who love Maria or Mariana but want something with more flair—the sea connection adds an evocative, adventurous quality.
In Russia and Eastern Europe, Marina is a beloved classic. Marina Tsvetaeva, one of Russia's greatest 20th-century poets, gave the name strong literary associations. In contemporary British pop culture, Marina Diamandis gave it modern indie-pop credibility.
Historical Record
Marina first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 36,429 babies have been named Marina in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Marina is past its peak , currently ranked #639 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Marina Tsvetaeva is considered one of the greatest Russian poets of the 20th century
- The word marina (a boat harbor) comes from the same Latin root as the name
- Marina is a top-10 name in Spain and Portugal
Marina in Other Languages
Greek
Marina
Italian
Marina
Russian
Marina
Spanish
Marina
Portuguese
Marina
Popularity Over Time
#639
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1994
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Marina
M
Marina Diamandis
Musician
1985
Welsh singer-songwriter known as Marina (formerly Marina and the Diamonds)
M
Marina Abramovic
Artist
1946
Serbian performance artist known as the grandmother of performance art
M
Marina Tsvetaeva
Writer
1892
Russian lyric poet, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century
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Compare Marina with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #639
- Total SSA Count
- 461
- Cultural Origins
- Italian Spanish Russian Portuguese English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Mari
Rina
Mara
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Marina
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Marina is also used as a boy name, ranked #18349.
View Marina as a boy name →Similar Names
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Compare Marina with...
Same Origin Names (Italian)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Marina
What does the name Marina mean?
"of the sea, maritime" (from Latin (marinus)). "sea, ocean" (from Latin). Marina comes from the Latin 'marinus' meaning 'of the sea'. It may have originated as a title for coastal settlements or shrines to the Virgin Mary near the water, or as a feminine form of Marinus, a saint's name. Saint Marina the Monk (circa 8th century) was a Syrian woman who disguised herself as a male monk to join a monastery—a fascinating story of devotion that became beloved in Eastern Christianity.
What is the origin of the name Marina?
Marina has Latin (marinus), Latin, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, and English origins. In Latin (marinus), it means "of the sea, maritime". In Latin, it means "sea, ocean".
Is Marina a boy or girl name?
Marina is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #639. As a boy name, it is ranked #18349. Marina is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Marina?
Marina is pronounced m-er-EEN-uh.
How popular is the name Marina?
Marina is currently ranked #639 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Marina?
Common nicknames for Marina include Mari, Rina, and Mara.
What are good middle names for Marina?
Popular middle name pairings include Marina Grace, Marina Lucia, Marina Rose, Marina Elena, Marina Celeste, and Marina Joy.
What are good sibling names for Marina?
Names that pair well with Marina as siblings include Lucia, Sofia, Marco, Rafael, Catalina, and Sebastian.
How many syllables does Marina have?
Marina has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Marina a common or rare name?
Marina is moderately common, ranked #639 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What girl names are similar to Marina?
About the Name Marina
Marina is a girl name with Italian, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, and English origins . The name means "of the sea, maritime" in Latin (marinus) .
Is Marina a boy or girl name? Marina is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #639 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #18,349. Marina is more commonly used as a girl name.
Marina is currently ranked #639 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Marina has 3 syllables and is pronounced m-er-EEN-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Marina include Mari, Rina, and Mara. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Marina include Maria, Mariana, Mariah, Mariam, Marie . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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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