Linah

♀ Girl

Pronounced LEE-nuh /ˈliː.nə/High

Meaning: An h-final spelling of the Arabic Lina, from a root carrying the sense of softness and tenderness; it is also glossed as 'young palm tree,' a word that appears in the Quran. Lina is separately used in Europe as a short form of names like Carolina.Low

In 30 seconds: A gentle Arabic name: Linah spells Lina, 'tender; young palm tree' (said 'LEE-nuh').

💕 Browse more names

Origin MediumArabic

MeaningAn h-final spelling of the Arabic Lina, from a root carrying the sense of softness and tenderness; it is also glossed as 'young palm tree,' a word that appears in the Quran. Lina is separately used in Europe as a short form of names like Carolina.

U.S. rank (2022)#11806 ↗ Rising

2022 U.S. births8 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2006

Total births (all-time)≈ 93

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Linah is a spelling of Lina, a widely used Arabic girls' name. The root behind it carries the sense of softness, gentleness and pliancy, and the word is also glossed as 'young palm tree,' a slender sapling; it appears in that sense in the Quran. In Europe the same short name arose independently as a clipped form of Carolina, Angelina and similar names, and we note both honestly (said 'LEE-nuh').

It appears only in very small numbers in the U.S. Rare, gentle, and international.

Did you know? The Arabic Lina is often glossed 'young palm tree' - a slender, supple sapling - and the same root gives words for softness and tenderness.

Overall data confidence 48%

References - Linah — Arabic Lina 'tender; young palm tree'; also short for Carolina in Europe

Variations

LinaLeenaLena

Nicknames

LinLuluNini

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Linah…

Lina— the standard spelling it varies

Lena— a near neighbour in sound

Nina— a like short international pick

Mina— a like gentle two-beat name

Explore names like Linah

By themearabic gentle international spelling-variant

By meaningGentle / Kind Youth

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Linah mean?

Linah spells the Arabic Lina, tied to softness and glossed 'young palm tree'; it is also a European short form.

How do you pronounce Linah?

It's said LEE-nuh /ˈliː.nə/ - two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Linah a boy or girl name?

Linah is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Linah?

Linah is extremely rare in the U.S.