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Home › Baby Names Directory › Minerva

Minerva

♀ Girl

Pronounced mih-NER-vuh /mɪˈnɜːr.və/High

Meaning: goddess of wisdom, arts, and warfareHigh

In 30 seconds: Minerva is the Roman goddess of wisdom, arts, and warfare, used as a given name. A powerful three-syllable name with ancient authority, now famous through Professor Minerva McGonagall.
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Origin HighLatin
Meaninggoddess of wisdom, arts, and warfare
U.S. rank (2025)#2112 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births89 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1955
Total births (all-time)≈ 15,823

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 195518802025

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

Minerva is the Roman goddess of wisdom, arts, and strategic warfare, corresponding to the Greek Athena. The name may derive from Etruscan Menrva or Latin mens (mind).

Minerva was popular in the 19th century and is experiencing a revival as parents seek powerful mythological names.

Did you know? Minerva McGonagall from Harry Potter is one of the most beloved fictional teachers in literature — J.K. Rowling chose the name Minerva precisely because of its association with wisdom and formidable intelligence.
Overall data confidence 88%
Oxford Classical Dictionary: Minerva — reference for MinervaBehind the Name: Minerva — name etymology reference

Variations

MinMina

Nicknames

MinMinnie

Famous Bearers

  • ★Minerva McGonagall (fictional)
    Minerva McGonagall, the Transfiguration professor and Gryffindor head of house in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series.

If you like Minerva…

Athena— Greek equivalent of same wisdom goddess
Diana— Roman goddess name of similar classical power
Luna— Roman moon goddess name
Juno— Roman queen goddess of similar ancient authority

Explore names like Minerva

By themelatinthree-syllablemythologicalwisdompowerful
By meaningGod / DivineWisdom

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does Minerva mean?

Minerva is the Roman goddess of wisdom, arts, and strategic warfare. The name may derive from Latin mens (mind).

How do you pronounce Minerva?

Minerva is pronounced mih-NER-vuh (/mɪˈnɜːr.və/), with three syllables.

Is Minerva a girl's name?

Yes, Minerva is an exclusively feminine name.

How popular is the name Minerva?

Minerva was popular in the 19th century and is experiencing a revival as parents seek powerful mythological names.

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