Minerva

Meaning: Wisdom
Origin: Latin (from Proto-Indo-European) — From a Proto-Indo-European root meaning thought

Nicknames: Minnie

Girl's name · #2112 in the US (2025) · Timeless

Popularity over time

Few names move less than Minerva — on the books since 1880, #2112 in 2025, and dependable in between. Roughly 16,000 girls share it. In all that time it has never once missed a year of the national records.

Across the states

See where Minerva is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 5 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Minerva ranks in other countries and regions.

#725 in Mexico (2024) · #1,200 in Sweden (2025) · #1,217 in Austria (2025) · #3,231 in England & Wales (2025) · #2,059 in Canada (2024).

Famous Minervas

Minerva Hase — German figure skater
Minerva J. Chapman — American artist (1858–1947)
Minerva Mirabal — Dominican lawyer and political activist
Minerva Bernardino — Dominican diplomat
Minerva Urecal — American actor (1894–1966)

In stories & tradition

Minerva — Roman mythology
Minerva (Minnie Mouse) — Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers (film)
Minerva McGonagall — Harry Potter (film series)

What Minervas become

Among 66 notable people named Minerva:

Artists & writers appear 1.45× more often than among typical names — e.g. Minerva J. Chapman, American artist (1858–1947).

Spellings & nicknames

About 57 girls a year are given Minnie as their full name.

Similar names: Francis · Minnie · Geneva · Lucinda · Leonora · Millicent

Browse more girl names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Service