Zarina is a unique and captivating feminine name of Persian origin. Derived from the Persian word "zar" which means "gold," Zarina signifies something as precious and radiant as gold itself.
The name Zarina has a rich history, with notable figures throughout history bearing this name. One such figure is Princess Zarina Diba, who was the wife of the last Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. She was known for her elegance, intelligence, and philanthropic efforts during her time as the Empress of Iran.
Zarina has also made its mark in literature and entertainment. In Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Book," Zarina is the name of a wolf cub who becomes a close friend of Mowgli, the main character. Additionally, Zarina appears as a character in the popular video game series "Final Fantasy," further cementing her place in pop culture.
Despite its Persian roots and royal connotations, Zarina has not traditionally been one of the most popular names worldwide. However, it continues to be used, particularly among families with Persian or Middle Eastern heritage, or those simply drawn to its unique sound and meaning.
The name Zarina has been popular among parents in the United States over the past few decades, with a noticeable increase in its usage since the late 1990s. Between 1966 and 2023, there were a total of 1454 babies named Zarina born in the US.
The popularity of the name varied significantly throughout these years. The first recorded year for the name Zarina was in 1966 with only 5 births. This number fluctuated until 1980 when it started to show a steady increase, reaching double digits with 12 births that year.
The most significant surge in popularity occurred between 1994 and 2007, during which time the number of babies named Zarina born each year doubled from 19 births in 1994 to 32 births in 2007. This trend continued into the late 2000s and early 2010s, with peak years being 2014 (74 births) and 2015 (95 births).
Despite a slight dip after 2015, the name Zarina has maintained its popularity in recent years. From 2016 to 2023, there were an average of around 60 babies named Zarina born each year.
In summary, while Zarina was not initially one of the most common names in the United States, its usage has grown steadily over time and it has become quite popular among parents choosing names for their daughters in recent decades.