Mina

Through Wilhelmina: will and protection; separately, enamel in Persian and fish in a Sanskrit-derived tradition.

Mina is used as a feminine name in several traditions. In its European short-form history, it can come from Wilhelmina or another name ending in -mina. Through Wilhelmina it inherits elements meaning ‘will’ and ‘helmet/protection’; Mina itself is not a separate literal word for a warrior or protector. Persian Mina, written مینا, has an independent meaning, ‘glaze’ or ‘enamel’. Another feminine naming tradition comes from Sanskrit mīna, ‘fish’. These are different name histories sharing a spelling, so a meaning chosen for one should not automatically be attached to the others. English /ˈmiː.nə/ begins with the stressed syllable, while Persian /miː.ˈnɒː/ places the emphasis at the end. The m and n keep both versions flowing and gentle. Mina may appeal for that softness, whether the personal connection lies in a longer given name or in one of its independent word meanings.

Etymology: Mina can shorten Wilhelmina and other names ending in -mina. Persian Mina and Sanskrit-derived Mina have independent word origins.