Mina

A short, feminine name often used as an independent given name; in European usage it’s frequently treated as a familiar form of longer -mina names.

Mina is a compact, two-syllable name with a gentle sound and a clear spelling, which helps it travel easily across languages. It works well as a full given name on its own, while still feeling like it could be a natural everyday shortening from something longer. In many Germanic and broader European naming contexts, Mina is commonly treated as a short form of longer -mina names—especially Wilhelmina and related forms. At the same time, Mina also appears as a standalone name in other languages and regions, sometimes with different roots; in practice, many families choose it primarily for its sound and simplicity. Pronunciation in English is often MEE-nah, with a light first-syllable stress. A practical tip is that it’s usually easy to spell from hearing it, and it naturally supports short nicknames like Min without forcing a separate “formal” version.

Etymology: In Germanic/European contexts, Mina is commonly used as a short form for names such as Wilhelmina and other longer forms ending in -mina. The name also appears in other languages as a standalone name, sometimes with different etymologies.