The name Gina is a feminine form of the Italian name Gino, which is derived from the biblical name Giovina. The name Giovina is itself a medieval Italian form of the Latin name Iovinius, which means "of Jupiter" or "sacred to Jupiter." The name's origins can be traced back to ancient Rome and the Roman god Jupiter, the king of the gods in Roman mythology.

In the Middle Ages, the name Giovina was relatively common in Italy, particularly in regions like Tuscany and Umbria. The shortened form Gina began to gain popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, likely as a more modern and simplified version of the traditional name.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Gina appears in the 14th-century Italian literary work "Il Decameron" by Giovanni Boccaccio. In the collection of novellas, there is a character named Gina di Monginevro, although it is unclear if this was a real person or a fictional character.

Throughout history, several notable women have borne the name Gina. Gina Lollobrigida, an Italian actress and photographer, was born in 1927 and is perhaps one of the most famous bearers of the name. She rose to international fame in the 1950s and 1960s for her roles in films such as "Bread, Love and Dreams" and "Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell."

Another well-known Gina was Gina Bachauer, an acclaimed Greek-American classical pianist born in 1913. She performed with many renowned orchestras and was particularly admired for her interpretations of Beethoven and Chopin.

In the literary world, Gina Berriault was an American writer and novelist born in 1923. She won several awards for her short stories and novels, including the prestigious PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction in 1971.

Gina Malo was a Canadian singer-songwriter and actress born in 1950. She achieved success in the 1960s and 1970s with her French-language pop and rock music, and also had a successful acting career in theater and television.

Lastly, Gina Gershon, an American actress born in 1962, is known for her roles in films such as "Bound," "Showgirls," and "Bound." She has had a successful career in both independent and mainstream films, often playing edgy and unconventional characters.