Dinah

Dinah comes from the Hebrew root concerning judgment and is usually interpreted as judged. In Genesis, Dinah is the daughter of Jacob and Leah. Her story is a difficult one involving sexual violence and the response of her brothers, so the biblical association has more complexity than a simple list of famous names might suggest.

Later writers and musicians have given the name other identities. Anita Diamant placed Dinah at the center of The Red Tent, while George Eliot used it for Dinah Morris in Adam Bede. Singers Dinah Washington and Dinah Shore also made it familiar through their adopted performing names. Dina is a closely related form. These varied connections allow a family to recognize the biblical background while finding literary, musical, or personal reasons for choosing the name.