Mina

♀ Girl

Pronounced MEE-nah /ˈmiː.nə/High

Meaning: From Persian mina meaning 'blue glass' or 'enamel,' also used as a diminutive of Wilhelmina (from Germanic elements meaning 'will' + 'helmet') in Dutch and German traditions, and as a Japanese name (美奈) meaning 'beautiful'Medium

In 30 seconds: Mina is a beautifully layered two-syllable name used across Persian, Germanic, Japanese, and South Asian cultures. Short, sweet, and cross-culturally resonant, it is quietly timeless.

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Origin HighPersian, Japanese, Dutch, German

MeaningFrom Persian mina meaning 'blue glass' or 'enamel,' also used as a diminutive of Wilhelmina (from Germanic elements meaning 'will' + 'helmet') in Dutch and German traditions, and as a Japanese name (美奈) meaning 'beautiful'

U.S. rank (2025)#597 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births491 girls (0.03% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 19,263

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

Mina has multiple independent origins: in Persian it means 'blue enamel glass,' evoking the brilliant blue glaze of Islamic art; in Dutch and German it is a diminutive of Wilhelmina; in South Asian languages it is related to Sanskrit mina ('fish,' a zodiac reference); and in Japanese (美奈 or 美南) it carries meanings of beauty.

Mina has been used across multiple cultures simultaneously, and in the English-speaking world it gained 19th-century visibility as a diminutive of Wilhelmina and through Bram Stoker's 1897 novel Dracula, where Mina Harker is the resourceful heroine. It is enjoying a quiet modern revival alongside other short, multicultural names.

Did you know? In Persian, mina refers to enamel or deep blue glass — the brilliant azure color used in Islamic tilework — making Mina a name that literally evokes the jewel-like blue of mosque domes and Persian art.

Overall data confidence 83%

Behind the Name — Mina — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

MenaMinnaWilhelmina

Nicknames

Min

Famous Bearers

★Mina Harker (fictional) (fictional)
Resourceful heroine of Bram Stoker's novel Dracula, one of Victorian literature's most capable female characters.

If you like Mina…

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Lena— two-syllable European feminine name with the same simple, timeless warmth

Mia— short multicultural name with the same minimal-yet-meaningful character

Tina— two-syllable vintage nickname-name with the same friendly, approachable feel

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Mina mean?

Mina has multiple origins: Persian for 'blue enamel glass,' a Germanic short form of Wilhelmina meaning 'resolute protector,' and a Japanese name meaning 'beautiful.'

How do you pronounce Mina?

It is said MEE-nah — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Mina a boy or girl name?

Mina is used almost exclusively as a girls' name.

How popular is Mina?

Mina has ranked in the U.S. top 1000 and is rising as part of the trend for short, multicultural names.