Mina

Mina can be a short form of Wilhelmina or another name ending in “mina,” and it also exists independently in several language traditions. Through Wilhelmina, it connects with a Germanic name associated with will and protection. That route should not be treated as the meaning of every Mina, especially when the name comes from a different cultural background.

Mina Harker in Bram Stoker’s Dracula provides a well-known literary example of the Wilhelmina connection. The four-letter form also works as an independent given name. Families choosing Mina may find it helpful to identify the original language or relative they mean to honor before selecting one particular translation for its story.