Karina

At a Glance

Meaning

Either a form of Katherine, or from Latin Carina ('keel', also an Italian term of endearment)

Origin

Greek/Latin (uncertain)

Gender

Girl

Pronunciation

kuh-REE-nuhListen

Karina is pronounced kuh-REE-nuh, and it traces back to Greek or Latin roots. You might come across the claim that it means "pure, chaste," but that only holds up if you treat Karina as a form of Katherine, and even then it's more folk etymology than a settled origin. It's just as likely to come from the Latin Carina, meaning "keel," a word also used as a term of endearment in Italian.

Meaning & Origin of Karina

Meaning: Either a form of Katherine, or from Latin Carina ('keel', also an Italian term of endearment).

Origin: Greek/Latin (uncertain).

A common claim: pure, chaste Actually: 'Pure, chaste' only applies if Karina is taken as a Katherine-form, and even there it's a folk etymology rather than a confirmed root; Karina may instead derive from Carina, which has nothing to do with 'pure.'

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Karina

Popularity of Karina

Karina peaked in 1996 at #108, when 2,868 babies were given the name; by 2024 it had settled to #774, with 363 babies given the name that year.

Names Like Karina

These names share Karina’s style, era or origin.

• Adria
• Adrienne
• Aldera
• Angelica
• Aprilia
• Astra

FAQ

What does the name Karina mean?

Either a form of Katherine, or from Latin Carina (‘keel’, also an Italian term of endearment). (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Karina?

Karina is pronounced kuh-REE-nuh (IPA: /kəˈriːnə/).

Is Karina a popular name right now?

Karina peaked at #108 in 1996 and is ranked #774 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1956–2024.)

Make Karina Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Karina, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.