Inha is the Ukrainian form of Inga, itself a feminine derivative of Inge, which is a short form of Scandinavian and German names containing the element Ing. This element refers to the Germanic god Ing, whose name ultimately derives from the Proto-Germanic Ingwaz, meaning "ancestor." Ing was a fertility deity in Germanic paganism, considered the ancestor of the Ingaevones tribe, and may have been an early form of the god Freyr. In use as a given name primarily in Ukraine, Inha shares its etymological roots with a rich family of names throughout Germanic and Nordic cultures, such as Íngrid (Spanish), Ingeborg (Swedish), Ingrid (Swedish), and Inger (Swedish), as well as Inga (Swedish) and Inge (Estonian). Though linguistics connect the name to ancient Germanic mythology, Inha is also the title of a scientific article—INHA—which refers to the gene for inhibin alpha, a protein involved in hormone regulation. This infrequent coincidence draws attention to the far-reaching adaptability of name elements in different cultural contexts. Meaning: Ukrainian form of Inga, ultimately derived from the Germanic god Ing. Origin: Ancient Germanic (via Scandinavian/German languages) Usage Regions: Ukraine Gender: Feminine