"place of the Prophet, radiant city"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Arabic
Medina
Pronunciation: [ m-uhd-EYEN-uh ]
Does Medina flow with your last name?
Named for Islam's sacred city of light and the Prophet
Arabic
Muslim
Spanish
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The Story of Medina
Medina comes from the Arabic word 'madīnah' (مدينة) meaning 'city' or 'town.' It is the name of one of Islam's two holiest cities (after Mecca) in Saudi Arabia — officially Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, 'The Radiant City.' The city became associated with the Prophet Muhammad after his migration there in 622 CE. As a given name, Medina is used in Arab and Muslim communities to honor this sacred city.
Medina has been used as a given name across Muslim communities and in the Balkans (especially Bosnia). In the United States, it has also appeared as a surname-turned-first-name in Latino and African American communities. The name carries different associations in different contexts — sacred geography in Muslim communities, a surname-name in others.
As the second holiest city in Islam, Medina holds profound spiritual significance for Muslims worldwide. The Prophet Muhammad's mosque, Masjid al-Nabawi, is located there. Naming a daughter Medina can express deep Islamic faith and connection to prophetic heritage.
Historical Record
Medina first appeared in US Social Security records in 1952.
Over 1,947 babies have been named Medina in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Medina is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #2,798 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Medina (Al-Madinah) is one of Islam's two holiest cities
- The word 'madina' in Arabic simply means 'city' and appears in placenames across the Arab world
- Medina is a very common surname in Spanish-speaking countries, derived from the medieval city of Medina del Campo in Spain
Medina in Other Languages
Urdu
مدینہ
Arabic
مدينة
Bosnian
Medina
Spanish
Medina
Turkish
Medine
Popularity Over Time
#2,798
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Medina
M
Medina (Danish singer)
Musician
1987
Danish pop singer and songwriter known for hit singles in Scandinavia
O
Ofelia Medina
Actor
1950
Mexican actress and activist known for her role in Frida (1984) and political advocacy
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Compare Medina with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #2,798
- Total SSA Count
- 60
- Cultural Origins
- Arabic Muslim Spanish African American Bosnian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Medi
Dina
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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Classic pairing, Spanish 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
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, Arabic 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
Middle Names
Middle Names for Medina
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Medina
What does the name Medina mean?
"place of the Prophet, radiant city" (from Arabic). Medina comes from the Arabic word 'madīnah' (مدينة) meaning 'city' or 'town.' It is the name of one of Islam's two holiest cities (after Mecca) in Saudi Arabia — officially Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, 'The Radiant City.' The city became associated with the Prophet Muhammad after his migration there in 622 CE. As a given name, Medina is used in Arab and Muslim communities to honor this sacred city.
What is the origin of the name Medina?
Medina has Arabic, Muslim, Spanish, African American, and Bosnian origins. In Arabic, it means "place of the Prophet, radiant city".
Is Medina a boy or girl name?
Medina is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Medina?
Medina is pronounced m-uhd-EYEN-uh.
How popular is the name Medina?
Medina is currently ranked #2798 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Medina?
Common nicknames for Medina include Medi and Dina.
What are good middle names for Medina?
Popular middle name pairings include Medina Rose, Medina Grace, Medina Faith, Medina Amara, Medina Nour, Medina Jade, and Medina Louise.
What are good sibling names for Medina?
Names that pair well with Medina as siblings include Zara, Amir, Layla, Ibrahim, Fatima, Yusuf, and Nadia.
How many syllables does Medina have?
Medina has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Medina a common or rare name?
Medina is an uncommon name, ranked #2798 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Medina
Medina is a girl name with Arabic, Muslim, Spanish, African American, and Bosnian origins . The name means "place of the Prophet, radiant city" in Arabic .
Medina is currently ranked #2,798 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Medina has 3 syllables and is pronounced m-uhd-EYEN-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Medina include Medi and Dina. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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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