Of several origins.
1) Of Babylonian origin.
According to several sources Nina was one of the names used by the Babylonians for Ishtar, the goddess of love, war, and sex.
2) Of Greek origin.
Saint Nina “Equal to the Apostles”, (also Ninó) was born in Cappadocia around 300 A.D. and preached Christianity in Georgia, Asia. Sources mention she was related to Saint George.
3) Of Native American origin.
Means “fire” in the Quechuan languages.
Used by the Quechua and Aymara peoples, indigenous ethnic groups of South America.
4) Of African origin.
Nina means “mother” in the Swahili language.
The Swahili peoples are ethnic group inhabitants of areas in countries such as Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, etc.
5) Of Spanish origin.
Niña means “little girl” in Spanish.
Nina is often used as a short form of names ending in –nina, such as Antonina, Giannina, Annina, etc.
Other forms of the name are Nena, Ninna, Ninetta, Ninette.
Nina is ranked #7 in Switzerland, #23 in Belgium, #29 in France, #30 in Holland, #34 in Austria and #309 in the U.S.A. (2016).
Famous bearers are Nina Simone (born Eunice Kathleen Waymon), Nina Hagen, Nina Ricci, Nina Persson, Nina (born Anna Maria Agustí Flores) Nina Baden-Semper, Nina Axelrod, Nina Conti.