"of the sea, maritime"
Origin: Latin (marinus)
Language: English
Marina
Pronunciation: [ m-er-EEN-uh ]
Girl Name
#639 Most Popular
Steady
3 Syllables
A seaside classic that travels beautifully across cultures
Italian
Spanish
Russian
Portuguese
English
Elegant
Classic
Sophisticated
Literary
Earthy
Meaning & Origin
"sea, ocean"
Origin: Latin
Language: Italian
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.
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
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
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
Pairs Well With
Marina Grace
Marina Lucia
Marina Rose
Marina Elena
Marina Celeste
Marina Joy
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Marina is also used as a boy name, ranked #18349.
View Marina as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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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.
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.