Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Mina

Traditionally speaking Mina has always been considered the pet form of Wilhelmina, but technically speaking it could be the short form for any name that contains the “mina” suffix (Amina, Hermina, etc). Wilhelmina is the German, Dutch and Polish feminine form of Wilhelm (equivalent to the English William). The name is ultimately derived from the Germanic elements “wil” meaning “will, desire” and “helm” meaning “helmet, protection”. Put them together, you’ve got a desire for protection; thus, the name William has come to stand for a valiant protector. The English borrowed Wilhelmina from the Germans and Dutch in the 19th century and Mina is considered a diminutive used by all speakers as both a pet form and an independent name. In fact, Wilhelmina has become passé in terms of fashionable use (although the Dutch still use the name with respectable moderation). Mina, on the contrary, is quite popular in Norway and Serbia today and enjoys moderate usage in Germany, Sweden, France and the Netherlands. Aside from Mina’s clear connection to Wilhelmina, the name also has totally separate etymological roots in Hindu. In Sanskrit Mīna (मीना) means “fish” and is the name of the twelfth astrological sign Pisces on the Hindu zodiac.

All About the Baby Name – Mina

Personality

OF THE GIRL NAME MINA

The number one personality is a leader - strong and competitive. They are willing to initiate action and take risks. One personalities work hard toward their endeavors and have the ability to apply their creative and innovative thinking skills with strong determination. They believe in their ability to succeed and are too stubborn to be hindered by obstacles. Ones meet obstacles head-on with such mental vigor and energy that you better step aside. They resent taking orders, so don't try telling them what to do either. This is an intensely active personality, but they are also known as starters rather than finishers. They have a propensity to become bored and will move quickly to the next project if not properly challenged.  They are the ones to think up and put into action new and brilliant ideas, but they are not the ones to stick around and manage them. This personality has an enthusiastic and pioneering spirit. They are distinctly original.

Popularity

OF THE GIRL NAME MINA

Mina’s performance on the American female naming charts maps pretty closely to Wilhelmina, further providing evidence that these two names were originally connected. In the late 19th century and early 20th century Mina (like Wilhelmina) was moderately popular but as the 1900s got underway, the name slipped in usage. Mina’s decline on the charts was fairly slow and steady until she disappeared off the American radar by the mid 1940s. Her hiatus from usage would last nearly 60 years until her return in the 21st century in 2002. Today Mina sees low success and we assume now that Indian-Americans might be the propeller behind Mina’s renewed usage. Americans no longer think about names as old-fashioned and sternly Germanic as Wilhelmina, so we doubt that connection any longer exists. Mina is now more of a delicately simple exotic choice tied to Hindu or Arabic names (i.e., Amina). We like the idea for Mina as a girl’s name for babies born under the Pisces zodiac sign (whose symbol is the fish).

Quick Facts

ON MINA

GENDER:

Girl

ORIGIN:

Dutch

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

753

PRONUNCIATION:

MEE-na

SIMPLE MEANING:

Valiant protector; or Fish (Hindu)

Characteristics

OF MINA

Independent

Individualistic

Ambitious

Strong-willed

Inventive

Successful

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Mina

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME MINA

Wilhelmina “Mina” Murray Harker is the protagonist of Bram Stoker’s famous 1897 novel, Dracula, which has been adapted countless times in other media. She is a virtuous young school teacher who is engaged to Jonathan Harker, the attorney who has unwittingly fallen victim to the vampire count and his minions. When Jonathan escapes the count’s castle, Mina joins him in Budapest and marries him there. Then, as husband and wife, they join Professor Van Helsing’s merry band of vampire hunters. Poor Mina! Marrying Jonathan didn’t make her any friend of Count Dracula, who attacks her and infuses her with his own blood, putting Mina through an extraordinary adventure, wavering between her human life and the nether world of her vampire persona. She is not exactly the original “Vampire Slayer”, but it is her use of her detecting talents that leads the boys to Dracula. Upon his death, Mina is free to go back to her proper Victorian role as dutiful wife and mother, and we can be sure she prefers it that way. A little excitement like that goes a long way, but it sure makes a good story for the eventual grandchildren!

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME MINA

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Mina


Popular Songs

ON MINA

Mina Loy (M.O.H.)
a song by Billy Corgan

Famous People

NAMED MINA

Mina Loy (poet)
Mina (Italian pop singer)

Children of Famous People

NAMED MINA

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Mina

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME MINA

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Mina