Karina

My mother named me. She is Peruvian, her father Italian. The meaning I have always known is Latin meaning “precious/darling/beautiful little one”. My father's heritage is German-Swiss. I always am confused with the Mexican name Corina since it is most common being in a border state. I am blonde & hazel eyes and fair skinned. I have traits of both my parents. Also often asked if I am Russian or German which is definitely applicable. Italians see it as Italian mostly.
I can’t expect that everyone would be educated enough with this name to know there is a difference in spelling as to origin- I accept that. However I do say ‘No, not like the Hurricane (Katrina)!”
When someone cares to know my name correctly, it is super great & says something to me about that person’s intelligence, that they are cultured, or they just show some class! If you pay attention, it is pronounced quite differently than Corina (with a long ‘o’); Katrina; Corin; Karen; Katrina. When people miss it I feel they just don’t care or are not educated.
Sorry, I do not mean to sound snooty. At least I do try to get everyone’s name right, if I don’t I stop to learn it. I like my name besides the confusion & I do my best to live up to it. I am grateful for my name. It’s quite different & endearing.

Karina can also reference to the Spanish pet name Cariño, meaning "sweet or affectionate", but more femininely. Mothers often use it to show affection to their child. "Mi Cariño."

Karina is not just a variant of Katherine. Karina is a Scandanavian name meaning "little one".

The name Karina is a variation of the name Carina, which comes from the latin word "carrus" - love. In other words, Karina means "being loved".

I've always heard that this name {my name} is Latin/Italian, not Polish as it says here. It comes from the Italian adjective carina/carino meaning 'sweet', 'nice', 'pretty', etc, or the Latin word 'caro' - dear.

It is not true, that Karina is a pet form of Katarzyna. It is a full name. Karina and Katarzyna are different names, and pet forms of Katarzyna are Kasia, Kasiunia etc. [noted -ed]