"will, desire (from Wilhelmina)"
Origin: Germanic
Language: German
Mina
Pronunciation: [ m-EEN-uh ]
Does Mina flow with your last name?
One name, five cultures — effortlessly beautiful anywhere
Germanic
Persian
Indian
Japanese
Dutch
Elegant
Gentle
Classic
Sophisticated
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Mina
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Mina
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"blue glass, enamel, heaven"
Origin: Persian
Language: Persian
"fish (sacred symbol)"
Origin: Sanskrit
Language: Hindi
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Mina
See all →What the Mina report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Mina the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Mina
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Mina head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Mina actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Mina
Mina is one of those beautiful names that has independently evolved across multiple cultures. In Germanic languages, it is a diminutive of names like Wilhelmina (will + helmet) or Hermina, meaning 'will' or 'desire.' In Persian, Mina (مینا) means 'blue glass' or 'enamel,' and is also a poetic word for the sky or heaven. In Japanese, Mina (美奈) can mean 'beautiful' plus 'apple tree' or 'vegetables.' In Sanskrit/Hindi, Mina means 'fish,' a sacred symbol.
Mina's cross-cultural appeal has made it quietly popular across many countries simultaneously. It's familiar without being common, exotic without being difficult to pronounce. In Europe, it has been in use since the 19th century. In Asia, it has separate traditions that happen to produce the same sound.
Mina Harker (née Murray) is one of the most important female characters in Victorian Gothic literature, appearing in Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' (1897). She is portrayed as both vulnerable and remarkably resourceful, making the name carry literary distinction in English-speaking cultures.
Historical Record
Mina first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 12,147 babies have been named Mina in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Mina is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #607 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Mina Harker is the heroine of Bram Stoker's Dracula, first published in 1897
- In Persian poetry, 'mina' is used metaphorically to describe clear blue skies and fine blue glass
- Mina was among the top 20 names in the Netherlands in 2020
Mina in Other Languages
Dutch
Mina
Hindi
मीना
Arabic
مينا
German
Mina (Wilhelmina)
Persian
مینا
Japanese
美奈
Popularity Over Time
#607
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Mina
M
Mina (South Korean singer)
Musician
1997
Japanese-born South Korean singer and member of the K-pop girl group TWICE, known mononymously as Mina
M
Mina Loy
Writer
1882
British-American modernist poet and artist, a leading figure of the early 20th-century avant-garde
M
Mina Harker Fictional
Other
Heroine of Bram Stoker's 1897 novel 'Dracula,' a resourceful and courageous woman who helps defeat Count Dracula
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #607
- Total SSA Count
- 493
- Cultural Origins
- Germanic Persian Indian Japanese Dutch
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Mi
Min
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, classic style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Mina
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Mina fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Mina is also used as a boy name, ranked #6667.
View Mina as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Mina →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Mina with...
Same Origin Names (Germanic)
See all Germanic names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Mina
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Mina and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Mina sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Ariya
Girl
Sanskrit arya (आर्य) origin
"noble, honorable"
#557 in US
Hana
Girl
Arabic origin
"happiness, bliss"
#708 in US
Robin
Girl
Old French origin
"little Robert"
#798 in US
Kiana
Girl
Persian Kayanian origin
"ancient, primordial"
#720 in US
Samira
Girl
Arabic origin
"entertaining companion, pleasant conv..."
#771 in US
Ila
Girl
Sanskrit origin
"earth, speech, flow"
#679 in US
Alia
Girl
Hebrew aliyah (עֲלִיָּה) origin
"ascent, rising"
#559 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Mina's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mina
What does the name Mina mean?
"will, desire (from Wilhelmina)" (from Germanic). "blue glass, enamel, heaven" (from Persian). "fish (sacred symbol)" (from Sanskrit). Mina is one of those beautiful names that has independently evolved across multiple cultures. In Germanic languages, it is a diminutive of names like Wilhelmina (will + helmet) or Hermina, meaning 'will' or 'desire.' In Persian, Mina (مینا) means 'blue glass' or 'enamel,' and is also a poetic word for the sky or heaven. In Japanese, Mina (美奈) can mean 'beautiful' plus 'apple tree' or 'vegetables.' In Sanskrit/Hindi, Mina means 'fish,' a sacred symbol.
What is the origin of the name Mina?
Mina has Germanic, Persian, Sanskrit, Indian, Japanese, and Dutch origins. In Germanic, it means "will, desire (from Wilhelmina)". In Persian, it means "blue glass, enamel, heaven". In Sanskrit, it means "fish (sacred symbol)".
Is Mina a boy or girl name?
Mina is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #607. As a boy name, it is ranked #6667. Mina is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Mina?
Mina is pronounced m-EEN-uh.
How popular is the name Mina?
Mina is currently ranked #607 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Mina?
Common nicknames for Mina include Min.
What are good middle names for Mina?
Popular middle name pairings include Mina Rose, Mina Jade, Mina Elise, Mina Suki, Mina Grace, and Mina Pearl.
What are good sibling names for Mina?
Names that pair well with Mina as siblings include Nora, Lena, Hana, Theo, Kenji, and Luca.
How many syllables does Mina have?
Mina has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Mina a common or rare name?
Mina is moderately common, ranked #607 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What girl names are similar to Mina?
About the Name Mina
Mina is a girl name with Germanic, Persian, Indian, Japanese, and Dutch origins . The name means "will, desire (from Wilhelmina)" in Germanic .
Is Mina a boy or girl name? Mina is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #607 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #6,667. Mina is more commonly used as a girl name.
Mina is currently ranked #607 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Mina has 2 syllables and is pronounced m-EEN-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Mina include Mi and Min. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Mina include Minha, Mindy, Minerva, Minnie, Minna . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Germanic Names
Browse all names with this origin
M
Names Starting with M
More girl names like Mina
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis