Meaning & History
Etymology and Origin
Arina is a Russian feminine given name, a variant of Irina. The name ultimately derives from the Greek Eirene (Εἰρήνη), meaning “peace.” In Greek mythology, Eirene was the goddess of peace, one of the Horae, daughters of Zeus and Themis. The name was also borne by several early Christian saints and was common in the Byzantine Empire, notably by an 8th-century empress who ruled as regent and later as sole ruler. The Russian form Arina has been in use for centuries, often considered a more colloquial or traditional variant of Irina. The Belarusian variant is Aryna and the Ukrainian variant is Oryna.
Notable Bearers
Several notable individuals bear the name Arina across various fields. In sports, Arina Averina (born 1998) is a Russian rhythmic gymnast who has won multiple world championships. Arina Charopa (born 1995) is a Belarusian rhythmic gymnast, and Arina Folts (born 1997) is an Uzbekistani tennis player. In the arts, Arina Aleynikova (born 1943) was a Soviet actress, and Arina Ephipania (born 1978) is an Indonesian vocalist. More recent public figures include Arina Glazunova (2000–2024), a Russian influencer who died in an accident while taking a selfie, and Arina Fedorovtseva (born 2004), a Russian volleyball player.
Cultural significance
In Russian culture, Arina is often associated with traditional folk names, sometimes appearing in literature and folklore. The name's soothing meaning (“peace”) aligns with its classical Greek roots. Variants include the diminutive Arisha, Ira 2, and Irinushka. Related names in other languages include Irena (Slovene), Iryna (Ukrainian), and Eirene (Greek mythology).
- Meaning: Peace
- Origin: Greek through Russian
- Type: First name
- Usage regions: Russia, Belarus, Ukraine
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Arina