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Naina
Pronounced NY-nah /ˈnaɪ.nɑ/High
Meaning: Eyes; from Hindi naina, a poetic word for eyes derived from Sanskrit nayanaHigh
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
Naina comes from the Hindi word for 'eyes', derived from Sanskrit nayana — a staple of Indian poetry and film lyrics where the beloved's eyes carry whole love stories. As a girl's name it is well established across North India and the diaspora, boosted by film heroines like the lead of Kal Ho Naa Ho.
Independently, Russia knows Naina from Pushkin's Ruslan and Lyudmila, where she is a spurned enchantress — and from Naina Yeltsina, Russia's former first lady. In the U.S. the name is rare and used mostly in South Asian families.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- ★Naina Yeltsina (1932–present)Former first lady of Russia, wife of President Boris Yeltsin.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Naina mean?
Naina is a Hindi name meaning 'eyes', from Sanskrit nayana; in Russia it is a separate literary name from Pushkin.
How do you pronounce Naina?
It's said NY-nah /ˈnaɪ.nɑ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.
Is Naina a boy or girl name?
Naina is a girl's name.
How popular is Naina?
Naina is a rare name in the U.S., familiar in Indian-American families.