Regina is a feminine given name of Latin origin, derived from the male name Reginald. The name Reginald is composed of two elements: "reg", meaning "power" or "king", and "naldus", which means "powerful" or "bold". Therefore, Regina can be translated to mean "queen" or "royal".
The use of the name Regina can be traced back to ancient times. In Latin literature, Regina was often used as a poetic term for the Roman Empire itself, symbolizing its power and majesty. In medieval Europe, the name became popular among the nobility, reflecting their royal status.
Regina also has biblical associations. In the New Testament, Regina is one of the women mentioned in Romans 16:6 who worked hard in the Lord's service alongside Apostle Paul. This connection may have contributed to its adoption as a Christian name.
Over time, Regina has become widely used across many cultures and countries. It has been particularly popular in German-speaking regions, where it often appears in the diminutive form Regine or Reggie. Today, Regina is still considered a strong, regal name that conveys a sense of power and grace.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Regine has experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years in the United States.
From 1915 to 1964, the number of babies named Regine remained relatively low, with annual births ranging from 5 to 11. However, starting in 1965, there was a notable increase in the number of newborns named Regine, with the figure jumping to 14 that year and continuing to rise throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s.
The name's popularity peaked in 1977 and 1978, with 23 births recorded each year. This trend continued into the early 1980s, with over 20 Regine babies born annually from 1980 to 1984.
However, after reaching a high of 28 births in 1985, the popularity of the name began to decline once again. Between 1986 and 1990, an average of around 23 babies were named Regine each year.
The name experienced a resurgence in popularity in the mid-1990s, with 174 births recorded in 1994 and 123 in 1995. However, this was short-lived, and by the late 1990s and early 2000s, the number of babies named Regine had dropped significantly once again.
In recent years, the popularity of the name has remained low, with only 5 births recorded in both 2019 and 2022. Overall, a total of 1388 babies have been named Regine in the United States since 1915.