"judged, vindicated"
Dina
Pronunciation: [ d-EEN-uh ]
A biblical classic with timeless Mediterranean flair
Meaning & Origin
"divine"
The Story of Dina
Dina (also spelled Dinah) comes from the Hebrew word 'din,' meaning judgment or vindicated. In the Hebrew Bible, Dinah is the daughter of Jacob and Leah, making her one of the few named women in Genesis. Her story in chapter 34 is one of the most dramatic in the Old Testament, giving the name deep historical roots in Jewish and Christian tradition.
Dinah was a popular name in the 19th and early 20th centuries, appearing in folk songs like 'Dinah, Is There Anyone Finer?' The shorter Dina gained traction as a sleek international form across Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries, remaining well-used in Italy, Israel, and Arabic-speaking regions.
In Jewish tradition, Dinah represents one of the matriarchal figures of the twelve tribes. In Italian and Spanish-speaking cultures, Dina is a common standalone name rather than just a nickname, giving it strong Mediterranean identity.
Fun Facts
- Dinah is one of the few women given a speaking role and her own narrative chapter in Genesis
- The name appears in the popular 19th century song 'I've Been Working on the Railroad' ('someone's in the kitchen with Dinah')
- Dina is a top-50 name in Israel today
Dina in Other Languages
Famous People Named Dina
Dina Asher-Smith
Athlete
1995
British sprinter and the fastest British woman in recorded history
Dinah Shore
Entertainer
1916
Beloved American singer and television personality popular from the 1940s through 1970s
Dinah
Other
Daughter of Jacob and Leah in the Hebrew Bible; one of the few named women with her own narrative in Genesis
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,337
- Total SSA Count
- 171
- Cultural Origins
- Jewish Italian Arabic English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Dina is also used as a boy name, ranked #31491.
View Dina as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Dina
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About the Name Dina
Dina is a girl name with Jewish, Italian, Arabic, and English origins . The name means "judged, vindicated" in Hebrew .
Is Dina a boy or girl name? Dina is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,337 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #31,491. Dina is more commonly used as a girl name.
Dina is currently ranked #1,337 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Dina has 2 syllables and is pronounced d-EEN-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Dina include Di. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Dina include Dinah . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.