Minerva (given name)

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Minerva
Minerva-Vedder-Highsmith-detail-1.jpeg
GenderFeminine
Origin
Word/name Etruscan, Latin, Proto-Indo-European, Proto-Italic
Meaning Intelligence, thought, understanding
Other names
Nickname(s)Mini, Minnie, Minou
Related namesManerva, Manervia, Menerva, Menirva, Minervah, Minervia, Minervy, Minirva (American English spelling variants); Mínerva (Icelandic); Minerve (French); Minerwa (Polish)

Minerva is a feminine given name usually given in reference to the Ancient Roman goddess of wisdom. The name Minerva stems from Proto-Italic *meneswo ("intelligent, understanding"), and ultimately from Proto-Indo-European (PIE) *menos ("thought"). [1]

Contents

Usage

The name was in regular use by the 19th century in the Anglosphere, particularly in the United States, where it was among the 300 most used names for American girls between 1880 and 1890, among the top 500 names until 1922, and among the top 1,000 names until 1973.

American English spelling variations in use in the United States also included Manerva, Manervia, Menerva, Menirva, Minervah, Minervia, Minervy, and Minirva. Also in use in the United States were the French version, Minerve, and the Polish version, Minerwa. [2] Usual short forms for the name include Minnie and spelling variant Mini. Nervy has been documented as a nickname in use in the Southern United States. [3]

It has also been in regular use in Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries. [4] Minerva is also a surname.

Women

As first name

As middle name

Pen name

Religious name

Stage name

Fictional characters

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References

  1. de Vaan, Michiel (2008). Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages. Brill. ISBN   9789004167971.
  2. Charbonneau, Karen (March 17, 2023). American Baby Girl Names: 1587-1920s. Post Falls, Idaho: A Ship's Cat Book. p. 675. ASIN   B0BYTTGH3L.
  3. Lorenz, Brenna (September 1989) [9], "Origins of Original Given Names from the Southern United States", Names: A Journal of Onomastics, 37 (3): 201–230{{citation}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  4. "Popularity for the name Minerva - Behind the Name".