Depending on where you look, Mina signifies everything from “love” and “blue glass” to “protection” and “royalty.” It is a name that travels effortlessly; it sounds at home in Berlin, Tokyo, Cairo, and New York alike.
Verdict: Mina is an exceptional choice for a baby born in 2025. It offers the “sweet spot” parents crave: it is familiar and easy to spell, yet it remains statistically underused compared to its sound-alike cousins. It is a timeless classic that feels fresh, artistic, and gently strong.
Mina Overview
- Meaning: When Mina is derived from Greek, the name means “royalty.” The meaning royalty comes from the Greek legend Minos. When derived from German, the name means “protection” or “protector,” from the German words “wille” (will or determination) and “helm” (protection).
- Gender: Mina has generally been used as a feminine name for children. Mina was used as a masculine name in Ancient Egypt.
- Origin: Greek and German.
- Pronunciation: “MEE-nuh”
- Popularity: Though it hasn’t cracked the top 500 yet, Mina is a popular name. So far, the most popular year for the title was 2021, when it ranked #589.
- Nicknames: Mi, Mia, Mimi, Minari, Mini.
- Variations: Elma, Giacomina, Helma, Iben, Iina, Jacqueline, Jacquette, Jamesina, Mien, Miina, Minna, Vilhelmina, Vilma, Wilhelmina, Żaklina, Zhaklina.
- Namesakes: Mina Loy, Mina Myoi, Mina Tobias.”
What Does Mina Mean?
Because Mina appears in so many diverse cultures, its meaning changes significantly depending on which linguistic root you choose to honor. It is a true multicultural gem.
The German Definition
In its most common Western origin, Mina serves as a diminutive for the name Wilhelmina. This traces back to the Old High German elements “wille” (meaning will, desire, or determination) and “helm” (meaning helmet or protection). Therefore, the full etymological meaning is often interpreted as “resolute protector” or “willing to protect.”
The Greek Definition
In Greek contexts, the name is often associated with the word “Menis,” referring to the moon or month, though it is also linked to “royalty” via the legend of King Minos. The meaning royalty comes from the Greek legend Minos.
Other Cultural Meanings
The name has beautiful meanings elsewhere in the world:
- Persian: It refers to a specific type of azure glass or enamel, often translating to “blue glass” or “daisy.”
- Hindi/Sanskrit: It translates to “fish,” which is an avatar of Vishnu, or “precious blue stone.”
- Japanese: Depending on the Kanji characters used, it can mean “south” (minami) or “beautiful” (mi) + “nara” (vegetables/greens), among other combinations.
Where Does the Name Mina Come From?
Mina is a name that seems to have various origins, as it developed independently around the world. The primary roots are Greek and German.
When derived from Ancient Greece, the name Mina comes from the masculine Minos, which comes from Greek mythology. In mythology, Minos was the son of Zeus and the King of Crete, a Greek island (1).
In the Western world, Mina rose to prominence in the 18th and 19th centuries as a standard nickname for Wilhelmina. Wilhelmina is the feminine version of the German and Dutch names Wilhelm and William. The name became popular during Queen Wilhelmina’s reign, who was a queen of the Netherlands and a German princess popular with the Netherlands public (2).
How Popular is the Name Mina?
Mina follows a “U-shaped” popularity curve, making it a prime example of the “100-year rule” in baby naming, names that were popular a century ago often feel fresh again today.
Mina was a remarkably popular name from 1880 to 1916, as it sat in the top 500 most popular names for girls in the United States for all those years. It was a Victorian staple. However, as naming trends shifted toward mid-century modern names (like Linda and Susan), Mina began to drop, eventually falling out of the top 1000 entirely in 1944.
However, the name has seen a significant resurgence after a long gap from 1944 to 2002. In 2022, the title once again entered the top 1000 at the rank of #946 (3).
Since 2002, Mina has been steadily rising in the ranks, reaching the rank of #809 in 2011 and #625 in 2018. So far, the most popular year for the name was 2021, when it ranked #589. It is currently a rising star; it is familiar to everyone but remains distinct enough that your child won’t be one of three Minas in their kindergarten class (4).
How Do I Pronounce Mina?
The phonetic pronunciation of Mina is MEE-nuh.
- The first syllable rhymes with “see.”
- The second syllable is a soft “uh” sound, rhyming with the end of “Luna” or “Tina.”
It is rarely mispronounced, which is a significant advantage for parents seeking a name that travels well internationally.
Is Mina a Boy or Girl Name?
In modern times, Mina is predominantly used as a feminine name for children in the United States and Europe.
However, historically, it has masculine roots. In Ancient Egypt, it was a masculine name and was used by one of the first Pharaohs, Menes (also spelled Mina), who united Upper and Lower Egypt (5). In Coptic Christian tradition, Mina is still a common male name. Despite this history, if you name a baby Mina in the US today, it will almost certainly be perceived as a girl’s name.
Variations of Mina
Because Mina often started as a nickname for longer names ending in “-mina,” there are dozens of ways to get to this name.
- Minna: The traditional German and Scandinavian spelling.
- Meena: A common Indian and Sanskrit variation.
- Wilhelmina: The Dutch and German formal version.
- Philomena: A Greek variation meaning “friend of strength.”
- Giacomina: The Italian feminine form of Giacomo (James).
- Vilma: A Slavic and Spanish variation.
- Hermina: A Spanish and German variation.
- Adamina: The feminine form of Adam (Earth).
- Minka: A Polish and Czech diminutive that adds a bit of spunk.
Nicknames for Mina
Mina is already a short name, which usually prevents it from being shortened further. However, parents often use terms of endearment.
- Mi: The shortest, sweetest option.
- Minnie: A vintage nickname that leans into the Victorian vibe.
- Min: A snappy, no-nonsense nickname.
- Mimi: A playful, French-inspired diminutive.
- Nina: A rhyming nickname often used for young children.
Names Similar to Mina
If you love the sound of Mina but want to explore other options, consider these names that share the same vintage-yet-modern “vibe.”
- Mila: Very similar in sound but currently much more popular in the rankings.
- Lina: A soft, vowel-heavy name with Arabic and European roots.
- Mira: Shares the “M” start and Latin roots; means “wonderful.”
- Thea: Like Mina, this is a vintage short form (of Theodora) that stands on its own.
- Esme: Shares the sophisticated, European flair of Mina.
- Luna: A celestial favorite that shares the “-na” ending.
- Clara: Matches Mina’s vintage 19th-century charm.
- Veda: A Sanskrit name that feels similar in weight and history.
Middle Names for Mina
Mina is a short, two-syllable name, which makes it incredibly versatile. It pairs well with long, elegant middle names or punchy, modern ones.
Classic & Royal Middle Names
These pairings emphasize the “Queen Wilhelmina” heritage of the name.
Nature-Inspired Middle Names
Because Mina has meanings related to “blue glass” and “daisy” (Persian), nature names fit beautifully.
Modern & Spunky Middle Names
To give the vintage first name a modern edge, try a one-syllable middle name.
Sibling Names for Mina
When creating a sibset, you want names that match Mina’s “vintage revival” and international appeal.
For a Brother
- Felix: Classic, Latin origin, and means “lucky.”
- Jasper: A vintage gem name that sounds great with Mina.
- Leo: Short, strong, and universally recognized.
- Arlo: Shares the vowel-heavy, open sound.
- Oscar: A gentlemanly vintage name with a bit of edge.
- Julian: Soft, sophisticated, and Roman in origin.
For a Sister
- Vera: Another short, vintage name ending in “a.”
- Elsie: A sweet nickname-name that stands alone.
- Ruby: Vintage but colorful.
- Iris: A classic floral name.
- Nora: Perhaps the perfect stylistic match for Mina.
- Flora: Shares the Roman goddess vibe.
Famous People Named Mina
- Mina/Menes: Pharoah of the Early Dynastic Period, Uniter of Upper and Lower Egypt.
- Mina Loy: A celebrated Bohemian artist, poet, and playwright of the modernist era.
- Mina Mazzini: Known simply as “Mina,” she is one of the most successful Italian pop singers of all time.
- Mina Myoi: American-born Japanese singer and dancer, famous as a member of the K-pop girl group TWICE.
- Mina Kimes: A prominent American investigative journalist and sportscaster.
- Mina Starsiak: Reality TV star known for the HGTV show “Good Bones.”
Mina in Pop Culture
- Mina Harker: The heroine of Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula. She is intelligent, brave, and central to the plot.
- Mina Aino: The civilian identity of Sailor Venus in the iconic anime “Sailor Moon.”
- Mina Ashido: A cheerful superhero student with pink skin in the anime “My Hero Academia.”
- Mina: A character in the wildly popular video game franchise “Pokemon” (specifically Sun and Moon).
FAQs About the Name Mina
What Does the Name Mina Mean in Japanese?
In Japanese, “Mina” is a common female name with multiple meanings depending on the kanji used. It can mean “south” (minami), or a combination of “beautiful” (mi) and “apple tree” or “vegetables” (na). It is distinct from the word “minna,” which means “everyone.”
Is Mina a Biblical Name?
Mina does not appear directly in the Bible as a given name. However, it is linguistically related to the name Menna, and in Christian history, Saint Menas (or Mina) is a very famous Egyptian saint and martyr.
Can Mina Be a Nickname for Other Names?
Absolutely. While Mina stands alone today, it is historically a truncated form of Wilhelmina, Philomena, Hermina, Adamina, Yasmina, or Clementina.
Is the Name Mina Rare?
Mina is considered “uncommon but familiar.” It ranks inside the top 1000 in the US, meaning it is well-known, but it is nowhere near as ubiquitous as names like Olivia, Emma, or Mia.
What Does Mina Mean in Arabic?
In Arabic, Mina (often spelled Meena) refers to a port or harbor. It is also the name of a valley near Mecca that plays a significant role in the Hajj pilgrimage.
What Is the Best Spelling for Mina?
The spelling “Mina” is the most internationally recognized and standard spelling in Western cultures. “Meena” is more common in Indian and South Asian contexts, while “Minna” is the traditional German and Scandinavian spelling.
