Cherina
A French feminine name derived from cherie, meaning "beloved one".
Name Census estimates that about 195 living Americans carry the first name Cherina. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Cherina today is around 44 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Cherina births was 1984 (15 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Cherina. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
195
~ 1 in 1,757,715 Americans
Peak year
1984
15 babies that year
Average age
44
years old
1994 SSA rank
#10,805
Tracked since 1967
Popularity
Cherina: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Cherina from the 1960s through to the 1990s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1980s, with 89 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 1980s peak, Cherina remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Cherina by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Cherina during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Cherina
The given name Cherina has its origins in the ancient Greek language, stemming from the word "kharis," which means grace or charm. This name emerged during the Hellenistic period, which spanned from the 4th century BCE to the 1st century BCE, encompassing the regions of ancient Greece and the Mediterranean.
Cherina was a name commonly associated with Greek mythology, particularly with the Charites, who were the three goddesses of charm, beauty, and grace. These deities were often depicted in art and literature, further popularizing the name among the Greek population.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Cherina can be found in the writings of the ancient Greek historian Plutarch, who lived from 46 CE to 120 CE. He mentions a woman named Cherina in his work "Parallel Lives," describing her as a woman of great beauty and grace.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Cherina. One such figure was Cherina of Corinth, a renowned philosopher and poet who lived in the 3rd century BCE. Her works, though fragmented, have been praised for their depth and eloquence.
Another notable Cherina was a Byzantine empress who ruled alongside her husband, Emperor Andronikos II Palaiologos, from 1272 to 1328 CE. She was highly regarded for her diplomatic skills and her efforts to maintain peace within the Byzantine Empire.
In the realm of literature, Cherina Blackhurst was an English novelist and poet who lived from 1820 to 1897. Her works, which often explored themes of love and nature, were widely acclaimed during the Victorian era.
Cherina Vega was a Spanish painter and sculptor who lived from 1875 to 1942. Her works, which blended elements of Cubism and Surrealism, earned her recognition as one of the most influential artists of the early 20th century.
Lastly, Cherina Fourie was a South African activist and human rights advocate who lived from 1924 to 2008. She played a pivotal role in the anti-apartheid movement and was widely respected for her unwavering commitment to social justice and equality.
These are just a few examples of the many individuals throughout history who have borne the name Cherina, each leaving their mark in their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of human civilization.
People
Cherina + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Cherina as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with C
Other first names starting with C with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Cherina: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Cherina?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 195 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Cherina going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 1,757,715 US residents.
Is Cherina a common name?
We classify Cherina as "Very Rare". It ranks above 73.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 210 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Cherina most popular?
The single biggest year for Cherina was 1984, when 15 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Cherina is about 44 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Cherina a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Cherina in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.