Jina
A feminine name possibly derived from the Arabic root meaning "soul" or "spirit".
Name Census estimates that about 1,821 living Americans carry the first name Jina. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Jina today is around 43 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Jina births was 1970 (56 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Jina. 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
1.8K
~ 1 in 188,223 Americans
Peak year
1970
56 babies that year
Average age
43
years old
2024 SSA rank
#10,609
Tracked since 1948
Popularity
Jina: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Jina from the 1940s through to the 2020s, spanning 9 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1970s, with 462 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1970s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Jina 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 Jina during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Jinas live
The SSA's state-level files cover 8 states and territories. California, Texas, Illinois recorded the most babies named Jina, while Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Ohio recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 44 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Jina
The name Jina is believed to have originated in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in the regions of Punjab and Sindh. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "jina," which means "to conquer" or "victorious one." This name has a strong connection to Jainism, one of the oldest religions in the world.
In Jainism, the term "Jina" refers to a spiritual teacher who has achieved enlightenment and conquered the cycle of birth and death. The most revered Jinas in Jainism are the Tirthankaras, who are believed to have attained the highest state of spiritual liberation. The name Jina is often given to children as a way to instill the virtues of spiritual conquest and enlightenment.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Jina can be found in the Jain scriptures, particularly the Agamas, which date back to the 6th century BCE. These ancient texts contain numerous references to the Tirthankaras and their teachings, including the use of the name Jina.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the name Jina. One of the most famous was Jina Harivallabhdas (1677-1733), a renowned Jain scholar and poet from Gujarat, India. His works, such as the Muktavali and Shri Neminath Charitra, are considered literary masterpieces in the Jain tradition.
Another notable figure was Jina Acharya (1064-1154), a Jain monk and philosopher from Rajasthan, India. He is credited with reviving the study of Jain logic and epistemology, and his works, such as the Saptabhangi-Naya, had a significant impact on Jain thought.
In the 20th century, Jina Raval (1916-1999) was a prominent Jain scholar and writer from Gujarat, India. He authored numerous books on Jain philosophy, literature, and culture, and played a crucial role in preserving and promoting the Jain heritage.
Jina Kansara (1917-2002), a Jain activist and social worker from Gujarat, India, dedicated her life to promoting education and empowerment for women and underprivileged communities. She founded the Shree Jain Shwetambar Murtipujak Sangh, an organization that worked towards social reform and upliftment.
Another notable figure was Jina Solanki (1944-2011), an Indian politician and social worker from Gujarat. She served as a member of the Indian Parliament and was actively involved in various social and educational initiatives, particularly in her home state.
While the name Jina has its roots in the Indian subcontinent and Jain tradition, it has gained popularity across various cultures and regions over time, transcending its religious and linguistic boundaries. However, its origins and historical significance remain deeply rooted in the Jain faith and its teachings of spiritual conquest and enlightenment.
People
Jina + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Jina as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with J
Other first names starting with J with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Jina: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Jina?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 1,821 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Jina 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 188,223 US residents.
Is Jina a common name?
We classify Jina as "Rare". It ranks above 93.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 2,012 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Jina most popular?
The single biggest year for Jina was 1970, when 56 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Jina is about 43 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Jina a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Jina 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.