The name Ina is believed to have its origins in the Germanic languages, particularly in Old Norse and Old German. It may be derived from the Germanic root word "ine" or "ini," which means "great" or "strong." In Old High German, the name was spelled as "Ina" or "Ine."

In the Old Norse language, the name Ina was a diminutive form of the name Ingrid, which means "beautiful" or "fair." It was a popular name among the Vikings and was used both as a standalone name and as a nickname.

The name Ina has been recorded in various historical documents and texts. One of the earliest known mentions of the name can be found in the Frankish Annals, a medieval chronicle written in the 9th century. The annals mention an Ina, the wife of King Radbod of Frisia.

Another notable historical figure with the name Ina was Ina of Wessex, who ruled as the King of Wessex, an Anglo-Saxon kingdom in present-day England, from 688 to 726 AD. He is credited with issuing one of the earliest-known written legal codes in Anglo-Saxon England, known as the "Laws of Ine."

In the Middle Ages, the name Ina was commonly used in various parts of Europe, particularly in Germany and Scandinavia. One notable example is Ina of Göttingen, a German noblewoman who lived in the 12th century and was known for her piety and charitable works.

In the 16th century, the name Ina gained popularity in Italy, where it was often associated with the name Giovanna (Joan). One famous Italian figure with the name Ina was Ina Baculis, a renowned painter and engraver who lived in the late 16th and early 17th centuries.

Another notable figure with the name Ina was Ina Coolbrith, an American poet and writer who was the first poet laureate of California. She lived from 1841 to 1928 and was a prominent figure in the literary circles of San Francisco.