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Elmina

♀ Girl

Pronounced el-MEE-nuh /ɛlˈmiː.nɑː/Medium

Meaning: A short form of Wilhelmina, from the Germanic roots wil ('will; desire') and helm ('helmet; protection') — thus tied to 'resolute protection.' A vintage Continental name.Low

In 30 seconds: A soft vintage name: Elmina is a form of Wilhelmina, tied to 'helmet; protection' (said 'el-MEE-nuh'). Gentle and old-world.

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Origin MediumGermanic

MeaningA short form of Wilhelmina, from the Germanic roots wil ('will; desire') and helm ('helmet; protection') — thus tied to 'resolute protection.' A vintage Continental name.

U.S. rank (2025)#8512 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births12 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1916

Total births (all-time)≈ 831

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Elmina is a short form of Wilhelmina, from the Germanic wil ('will') and helm ('helmet; protection'). It reads as a gentle vintage name, rare in the U.S. and softly Continental (said 'el-MEE-nuh').

In the U.S. it appears only rarely today. Rare, vintage, and soft.

Did you know? Elmina is a short form of Wilhelmina, whose Germanic roots mean 'resolute protection' — a soft, old-world name that also names a historic town in Ghana (said 'el-MEE-nuh').

Overall data confidence 50%

References — Elmina — Short form of Wilhelmina, 'resolute protection'

Variations

WilhelminaElmineAlmina

Nicknames

ElleMina

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Elmina…

Wilhelmina— the fuller name Elmina shortens

Mina— a like soft -ina short form

Wilma— a like vintage relative

Audrina— lands in the same popularity range

Alinna— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Elmina

By themevintage soft germanic

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Elmina mean?

Elmina is a short form of Wilhelmina, from Germanic roots meaning 'will' and 'helmet; protection.'

How do you pronounce Elmina?

It's said el-MEE-nuh /ɛlˈmiː.nɑː/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Elmina a boy or girl name?

Elmina is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Elmina?

Elmina is a rare name in the U.S. today.