Penina Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: peh-NEE-nah /pəˈniːnə/
Origin: Hebrew; African
Meaning: Hebrew: 'a pearl'; African: 'to be fruitful'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Penina has its roots in Hebrew, derived from the word "פְּנִינָה" (Peninah), which translates to "pearl" or "precious gem." This etymology reflects a broader tradition in Hebrew naming conventions, where names often carry significant meanings related to beauty, value, or virtue. The name entered the English language through biblical texts, particularly the Old Testament, where Penina is mentioned as one of the wives of Elkanah and the mother of several children, notably in the First Book of Samuel, which dates back to the 11th century BCE.
This biblical association has contributed to the name's enduring presence in various cultures influenced by Judeo-Christian traditions. Throughout history, Penina has been recognized not only in religious contexts but also in literary works and translations.
The name appears in the King James Bible, published in 1611, which helped to popularize many biblical names in English-speaking regions. The character of Penina, often depicted in contrast to Hannah, Elkanah's other wife, highlights themes of rivalry and maternal devotion, further embedding the name in cultural narratives.
The name has also been used in various forms of literature and art, reflecting its significance in storytelling and moral lessons. Culturally, Penina symbolizes beauty and value, akin to the qualities associated with pearls.
This connection to preciousness has allowed the name to resonate in various traditions, particularly within Jewish communities, where names often carry deep familial and historical significance. Additionally, diminutive forms such as Penny may arise from Penina, although these variations are less historically prominent.
Overall, the name Penina embodies a rich tapestry of linguistic, historical, and cultural elements that have contributed to its lasting legacy.
Famous people named Penina
In this section, you will find notable people named Penina. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Penina who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Penina who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Penina Moïse is a poet best known for her works in early American literature and her contributions to Jewish poetry.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Penina, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Penina. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Penina was first seen in the United States in 1953.
Penina has ranked as high as #6660 nationally, which occurred in 2022, and has been most popular in New York, New Jersey, and California.
In the past 5 years the name Penina has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Penina is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Penina was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Penina.
| Year | Total Births | Girl |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 20 | 20 |
| 2024 | 30 | 30 |
| 2023 | 16 | 16 |
| 2022 | 39 | 39 |
| 2021 | 28 | 28 |
| 2020 | 30 | 30 |
| 2019 | 33 | 33 |
| 2018 | 27 | 27 |
| 2017 | 21 | 21 |
| 2016 | 20 | 20 |
| 2015 | 18 | 18 |
| 2014 | 29 | 29 |
| 2013 | 21 | 21 |
| 2012 | 24 | 24 |
| 2011 | 23 | 23 |
| 2010 | 30 | 30 |
| 2009 | 19 | 19 |
| 2008 | 20 | 20 |
| 2007 | 19 | 19 |
| 2006 | 16 | 16 |
| 2005 | 22 | 22 |
| 2004 | 14 | 14 |
| 2003 | 15 | 15 |
| 2002 | 15 | 15 |
| 2001 | 17 | 17 |
| 2000 | 12 | 12 |
| 1999 | 25 | 25 |
| 1998 | 17 | 17 |
| 1997 | 16 | 16 |
| 1996 | 19 | 19 |
| 1995 | 24 | 24 |
| 1994 | 26 | 26 |
| 1993 | 19 | 19 |
| 1992 | 20 | 20 |
| 1991 | 18 | 18 |
| 1990 | 9 | 9 |
| 1989 | 17 | 17 |
| 1988 | 20 | 20 |
| 1987 | 11 | 11 |
| 1986 | 15 | 15 |
| 1985 | 15 | 15 |
| 1984 | 12 | 12 |
| 1983 | 16 | 16 |
| 1982 | 11 | 11 |
| 1981 | 10 | 10 |
| 1980 | 13 | 13 |
| 1979 | 5 | 5 |
| 1978 | 15 | 15 |
| 1977 | 8 | 8 |
| 1976 | 13 | 13 |
| 1974 | 12 | 12 |
| 1973 | 5 | 5 |
| 1972 | 5 | 5 |
| 1971 | 10 | 10 |
| 1969 | 9 | 9 |
| 1968 | 5 | 5 |
| 1963 | 5 | 5 |
| 1953 | 6 | 6 |
Top States for Penina (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 11 |