Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Carina

Carina

♀ Girl

Pronounced kuh-REE-nuh /kəˈriː.nə/Low

Meaning: from the Italian word 'cara' and Latin 'carus' meaning 'dear' or 'beloved'Low

In 30 seconds: Carina is a girl's name from Latin meaning 'dear' or 'beloved'.
💕 Browse more names
Origin LowLatin, Italian
Meaningfrom the Italian word 'cara' and Latin 'carus' meaning 'dear' or 'beloved'
U.S. rank (2025)#1572 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births134 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1995
Total births (all-time)≈ 16,494

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199519142025

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

The name traces to the Latin 'carus' and the related Italian 'cara', both meaning 'dear' or 'beloved'. That root gives it a warm, affectionate sense. It has an easy, melodic flow across Italian and other Romance languages.

The three-syllable 'ca-REE-na' sound carries a gentle, songlike quality that suits its 'beloved' meaning.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Carina is 'origin uncertain', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 55%
Behind the Name - Carina — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

—

Nicknames

—

Famous Bearers

  • ★Carina Lau (1965-)
    Hong Kong actress
  • ★Carina Round (1979-)
    English singer-songwriter and Puscifer member
  • ★Carina Vogt (1992-)
    German ski jumper and Olympic champion

If you like Carina…

Cara— Shares the same Latin 'carus' root meaning 'dear, beloved'.
Karina— A k-spelled variant of Carina with the same sound and root.
Cristina— another Italian name
Ciana— shares the -na ending
Montana— shares the -na ending

Explore names like Carina

By meaningLove

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Carina mean?

Carina is usually explained as meaning 'origin uncertain' and is most often linked with Uncertain tradition.

How do you pronounce Carina?

It's commonly said kuh-REE-nuh /kəˈriː.nə/.

Is Carina a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Carina is used as a girl name.

How popular is Carina?

In 2024, Carina ranked #1479 in the U.S. for girls, with 147 births recorded.

💬 Ask Nia