Naina

♀ Girl

Naina Pronunciation

Naina is pronounced NY-nah /ˈnaɪ.nɑ/High

Meaning: Eyes; from Hindi naina, a poetic word for eyes derived from Sanskrit nayanaHigh

In 30 seconds: A poetic Hindi name meaning 'eyes' — the feature Bollywood lyrics adore most. It moonlights in Russia, too, where Pushkin gave it to a sorceress.

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Origin MediumIndian, Russian

MeaningEyes; from Hindi naina, a poetic word for eyes derived from Sanskrit nayana

U.S. rank (2024)#3307 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births48 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2016

Total births (all-time)≈ 730

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

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.

Did you know? Hindi film songs have serenaded naina — the beloved's eyes — for generations, making the word one of Bollywood's most-sung images and a natural girl's name.

Overall data confidence 82%

Behind the Name — Naina — Hindi etymology

Variations

NaynaNayanaNyna

Nicknames

NaiNina

Famous Bearers

★Naina Yeltsina (1932–present)
Former first lady of Russia, wife of President Boris Yeltsin.

If you like Naina…

Nyla— a fellow sleek two-syllable favorite among South Asian-American families

Naya— shares the open n-vowel melody

Meera— a classic Indian girls' name of similar warmth

Tatiana— the same literary feel

Navya— a similarly popular pick

→ See all names like Naina

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Frequently Asked

How do you pronounce Naina?

Naina is pronounced NY-nah (/ˈnaɪ.nɑ/). Press play above to hear Naina said aloud.

How do you say Naina?

Naina is said NY-nah (/ˈnaɪ.nɑ/). Press play above to hear Naina said aloud.

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.

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.