How to say it
a · LI · na
əˈli.nə
Feminine
Alina
Noble, light
What it means
Slavic and Germanic name from a contracted Adelina (Old Germanic adal 'noble' + the diminutive -ina). Alternate reading from Arabic 'noble' or Greek alein ('to wander'). Common across Eastern Europe (Russia, Poland, Romania) and the German-speaking world.
Alina has multiple roots that converged. The dominant reading takes it as a contracted form of Adelina, from the Old Germanic adal ('noble') with the Latin diminutive -ina, common across Eastern European Slavic, Polish, and Romanian usage. Arabic Alyna means 'noble.' The Greek alein meant 'to wander.' Alina Cojocaru the Romanian-British prima ballerina (born 1981, Royal Ballet) and Alina Kabaeva the Russian Olympic gymnast (born 1983) anchor the Eastern European cultural use. As a US given name Alina has been climbing since 2000, particularly in Russian, Polish, and Romanian American families. It entered the US top 300 in 2014. Common short: Lina or Ali.
How to spell Alina
The standard spelling is Alina. Common variants include Aleena, Alyna, Aleena, but Alina is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #130 in 2025, currently #130 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pronunciation
uh-LEE-nah, three syllables, stress on the second. Not AY-lina.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Alina Cojocaru Romanian-British ballerina, Royal Ballet principal
Spelling variants
- Aleena
- Alyna
- Aleena
Names with the same feeling
See Alina from another angle
By meaning
Common questions
- What does the name Alina mean?
- Slavic and Germanic name from a contracted Adelina (Old Germanic adal 'noble' + the diminutive -ina). Alternate reading from Arabic 'noble' or Greek alein ('to wander'). Common across Eastern Europe (Russia, Poland, Romania) and the German-speaking world.
- What does Alina mean in Slavic?
- In Slavic, Alina means "Noble, light." Alina has multiple roots that converged. The dominant reading takes it as a contracted form of Adelina, from the Old Germanic adal ('noble') with the Latin diminutive -ina, common across Eastern European Slavic, Polish, and Romanian usage. Arabic Alyna means 'noble.' The Greek alein meant 'to wander.' Alina Cojocaru the Romanian-British prima ballerina (born 1981, Royal Ballet) and Alina Kabaeva the Russian Olympic gymnast (born 1983) anchor the Eastern European cultural use. As a US given name Alina has been climbing since 2000, particularly in Russian, Polish, and Romanian American families. It entered the US top 300 in 2014. Common short: Lina or Ali.
- Is Alina short for Adelina?
- Yes. Alina is a short form of Adelina, and it carries the same meaning, "Noble, light." These days many parents use Alina as a given name in its own right, not only as a nickname.
- How do you pronounce Alina?
- Alina is pronounced əˈli.nə. Say it as a-LI-na, with the stress on the "li" syllable.
- How do you spell Alina?
- The standard spelling is Alina. Common spelling variants include Aleena, Alyna, Aleena.
- Is Alina a boy or girl name?
- Alina is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Alina?
- Alina ranked #130 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.