Minna Girl

Popularity: #919 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MIN-uh /ˈmɪnə/

Origin: German; Hebrew

Meaning: German: Love; Hebrew: Sea of bitterness

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Minna has roots in multiple linguistic traditions, primarily deriving from the Germanic name "Minna," which is a diminutive form of names such as "Wilhelmina" or "Hermine." The etymology can be traced back to the Old High German word "minna," meaning "love" or "affection." This name made its way into English through the influence of Germanic languages, particularly during the periods of cultural exchange in the medieval era. The name's introduction into English-speaking contexts can be linked to the broader adoption of Germanic names during the 19th century, particularly as a result of immigration and cultural interaction between English and German speakers.

Historically, the name Minna has been associated with notable figures, particularly in literature and the arts. One significant milestone is the use of the name in the 19th century, where it appeared in various literary works, reflecting the romantic and affectionate connotations of the name.

Additionally, the name has been borne by various saints and historical figures, although specific references are less prominent compared to other names. The name's presence in literature and its association with themes of love and affection contributed to its enduring appeal.

Culturally, Minna has resonated with notions of warmth and intimacy, often symbolizing a beloved or cherished individual. The name's gentle sound and affectionate meaning have made it a favored choice in various cultures, particularly in German-speaking regions.

Its diminutive forms, such as "Minnie," have also found their place in popular culture, further embedding the name within the fabric of affectionate naming traditions. Overall, Minna encapsulates a blend of historical significance and cultural resonance, reflecting themes of love and connection throughout its usage.

Famous people named Minna

In this section, you will find notable people named Minna. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Minna who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Minna who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Minna Canth is a playwright and social activist best known for Työmiehen vaimo, Anna-Liisa, and the promotion of women's rights in Finland.

Minna Sundberg is an illustrator and comic artist best known for her webcomics Stand Still, Stay Silent and A Redtail's Dream.

Fictional characters named Minna

The following list of fictional characters named Minna is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Minna is a fictional character from the video game series Valkyria Chronicles. She is a skilled soldier and a member of the Gallian militia, playing a crucial role in the fight against the Empire.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Minna, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

MinaMiraMilaMaya

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Minna. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

MinaMira

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Minna was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Minna has ranked as high as #1736 nationally, which occurred in 1916, and has been most popular in New York, California, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Texas.

In the past 5 years the name Minna has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Minna is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Minna was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Minna.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 29 29
2024 28 28
2023 20 20
2022 35 35
2021 28 28
2020 32 32
2019 40 40
2018 33 33
2017 37 37
2016 29 29
2015 33 33
2014 25 25
2013 21 21
2012 32 32
2011 28 28
2010 23 23
2009 30 30
2008 27 27
2007 20 20
2006 31 31
2005 25 25
2004 22 22
2003 24 24
2002 22 22
2001 20 20
2000 18 18
1999 22 22
1998 27 27
1997 28 28
1996 17 17
1995 22 22
1994 21 21
1993 24 24
1992 17 17
1991 28 28
1990 18 18
1989 17 17
1988 20 20
1987 22 22
1986 10 10
1985 10 10
1984 12 12
1983 16 16
1982 20 20
1981 20 20
1980 14 14
1979 10 10
1978 12 12
1977 8 8
1976 22 22
1975 12 12
1974 16 16
1973 15 15
1972 11 11
1971 16 16
1970 13 13
1969 9 9
1968 10 10
1967 8 8
1966 5 5
1965 5 5
1964 5 5
1960 9 9
1958 8 8
1957 11 11
1956 9 9
1955 12 12
1954 11 11
1953 7 7
1952 9 9
1951 5 5
1950 14 14
1949 10 10
1948 13 13
1947 18 18
1946 15 15
1945 7 7
1944 14 14
1943 9 9
1942 22 22
1941 14 14
1940 14 14
1939 18 18
1938 21 21
1937 10 10
1936 8 8
1935 18 18
1934 13 13
1933 13 13
1932 7 7
1931 11 11
1930 15 15
1929 19 19
1928 14 14
1927 20 20
1926 23 23
1925 17 17
1924 29 29
1923 23 23
1922 35 35
1921 24 24
1920 22 22
1919 37 37
1918 34 34
1917 49 49
1916 54 54
1915 47 47
1914 51 51
1913 44 44
1912 30 30
1911 32 32
1910 33 33
1909 42 42
1908 32 32
1907 34 34
1906 24 24
1905 30 30
1904 26 26
1903 20 20
1902 25 25
1901 23 23
1900 39 39
1899 27 27
1898 33 33
1897 42 42
1896 32 32
1895 48 48
1894 34 34
1893 43 43
1892 33 33
1891 36 36
1890 34 34
1889 43 43
1888 31 31
1887 32 32
1886 18 18
1885 20 20
1884 19 19
1883 7 7
1882 21 21
1881 10 10
1880 17 17

Top States for Minna (2022)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
IL 5
100%