Karlina is a feminine given name of Slavic origin, derived from the male name Carl. It is composed of the elements 'karl' meaning 'free man' and 'ina', a female suffix. The name gained popularity in various European countries during the 19th century, particularly in Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Scandinavia. Karlina has also been adopted by other cultures, with notable bearers including Swedish-American author Karlina Hamilton and Brazilian actress Karlina Cavalho.
The name Karlina experienced significant popularity between 1988 and 2009, with the highest number of births recorded in 1990 (12) and 2007 (12). After 2009, there was a noticeable decline in its usage, with only one year (2013) having more than 10 births.