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Marina

♀ Girl

Pronounced mah-REE-nah /məˈriː.nə/High

Meaning: Feminine form of the Latin Marinus, derived from mare meaning 'sea,' giving the name the meaning 'of the sea' or 'sea maiden'High

In 30 seconds: Marina means 'of the sea' in Latin — a name of oceanic grace used by multiple early saints. Elegant, international, and timelessly beautiful across dozens of languages.
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Origin HighLatin
MeaningFeminine form of the Latin Marinus, derived from mare meaning 'sea,' giving the name the meaning 'of the sea' or 'sea maiden'
U.S. rank (2025)#602 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births488 girls (0.03% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1994
Total births (all-time)≈ 39,509

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199418862025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Marina is the feminine form of the Latin Marinus, derived from mare ('sea'). It was borne by several early Christian saints and martyrs, the most notable being Saint Marina (also known as Saint Margaret of Antioch in some traditions), who was popular in medieval Europe. The name spread throughout the Roman Catholic world and into Eastern Orthodox traditions.

Marina has been in continuous use across Europe, Latin America, and Slavic countries for centuries. In the United States it ranks comfortably in the top 300 girls' names and is particularly popular among families with Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, or Russian heritage. It is also used across the Arabic-speaking world.

Did you know? The name Marina is so universally linked to the sea that it is cognate with the English word 'marina' (a harbor for boats) — meaning that every yacht harbor is essentially named after this feminine given name.
Overall data confidence 96%
Behind the Name — Marina — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

MaraMarinMarinna

Nicknames

MariRina

Famous Bearers

  • ★Marina Tsvetaeva (1892–1941)
    Russian poet widely considered one of the greatest of the 20th century.
  • ★Marina Abramović (1946–present)
    Serbian performance artist, often called 'the grandmother of performance art.'

If you like Marina…

Mara— related Latin-derived name with the same oceanic-biblical depth
Adriana— four-syllable Latin name referring to the Adriatic Sea, sharing the same sea-connected Latin elegance
Serena— three-syllable Latin feminine name with the same flowing, serene beauty
Valentina— four-syllable Latin feminine classic with the same international elegance

Frequently Asked

What does the name Marina mean?

Marina comes from the Latin mare meaning 'sea,' giving the name the meaning 'of the sea' or 'sea maiden.'

How do you pronounce Marina?

It is said mah-REE-nah — three syllables with stress on the second.

Is Marina a boy or girl name?

Marina is exclusively a girls' name; the masculine form is Marino or Marin.

How popular is Marina?

Marina ranks in the U.S. top 300 girls' names and is popular across multiple language communities worldwide.