Minna Girl
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.
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.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Minna was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Minna has ranked as high as #786 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.
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. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| IL | 5 |
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 | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 28 |
| 2023 | 20 |
| 2022 | 35 |
| 2021 | 28 |
| 2020 | 32 |
| 2019 | 40 |
| 2018 | 33 |
| 2017 | 37 |
| 2016 | 29 |
| 2015 | 33 |
| 2014 | 25 |
| 2013 | 21 |
| 2012 | 32 |
| 2011 | 28 |
| 2010 | 23 |
| 2009 | 30 |
| 2008 | 27 |
| 2007 | 20 |
| 2006 | 31 |
| 2005 | 25 |
| 2004 | 22 |
| 2003 | 24 |
| 2002 | 22 |
| 2001 | 20 |
| 2000 | 18 |
| 1999 | 22 |
| 1998 | 27 |
| 1997 | 28 |
| 1996 | 17 |
| 1995 | 22 |
| 1994 | 21 |
| 1993 | 24 |
| 1992 | 17 |
| 1991 | 28 |
| 1990 | 18 |
| 1989 | 17 |
| 1988 | 20 |
| 1987 | 22 |
| 1986 | 10 |
| 1985 | 10 |
| 1984 | 12 |
| 1983 | 16 |
| 1982 | 20 |
| 1981 | 20 |
| 1980 | 14 |
| 1979 | 10 |
| 1978 | 12 |
| 1977 | 8 |
| 1976 | 22 |
| 1975 | 12 |
| 1974 | 16 |
| 1973 | 15 |
| 1972 | 11 |
| 1971 | 16 |
| 1970 | 13 |
| 1969 | 9 |
| 1968 | 10 |
| 1967 | 8 |
| 1966 | 5 |
| 1965 | 5 |
| 1964 | 5 |
| 1960 | 9 |
| 1958 | 8 |
| 1957 | 11 |
| 1956 | 9 |
| 1955 | 12 |
| 1954 | 11 |
| 1953 | 7 |
| 1952 | 9 |
| 1951 | 5 |
| 1950 | 14 |
| 1949 | 10 |
| 1948 | 13 |
| 1947 | 18 |
| 1946 | 15 |
| 1945 | 7 |
| 1944 | 14 |
| 1943 | 9 |
| 1942 | 22 |
| 1941 | 14 |
| 1940 | 14 |
| 1939 | 18 |
| 1938 | 21 |
| 1937 | 10 |
| 1936 | 8 |
| 1935 | 18 |
| 1934 | 13 |
| 1933 | 13 |
| 1932 | 7 |
| 1931 | 11 |
| 1930 | 15 |
| 1929 | 19 |
| 1928 | 14 |
| 1927 | 20 |
| 1926 | 23 |
| 1925 | 17 |
| 1924 | 29 |
| 1923 | 23 |
| 1922 | 35 |
| 1921 | 24 |
| 1920 | 22 |
| 1919 | 37 |
| 1918 | 34 |
| 1917 | 49 |
| 1916 | 54 |
| 1915 | 47 |
| 1914 | 51 |
| 1913 | 44 |
| 1912 | 30 |
| 1911 | 32 |
| 1910 | 33 |
| 1909 | 42 |
| 1908 | 32 |
| 1907 | 34 |
| 1906 | 24 |
| 1905 | 30 |
| 1904 | 26 |
| 1903 | 20 |
| 1902 | 25 |
| 1901 | 23 |
| 1900 | 39 |
| 1899 | 27 |
| 1898 | 33 |
| 1897 | 42 |
| 1896 | 32 |
| 1895 | 48 |
| 1894 | 34 |
| 1893 | 43 |
| 1892 | 33 |
| 1891 | 36 |
| 1890 | 34 |
| 1889 | 43 |
| 1888 | 31 |
| 1887 | 32 |
| 1886 | 18 |
| 1885 | 20 |
| 1884 | 19 |
| 1883 | 7 |
| 1882 | 21 |
| 1881 | 10 |
| 1880 | 17 |