Minerva Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Minerva originates from Latin, meaning 'wisdom' or 'intellect', and has evolved through various historical forms. It represents traits such as knowledge and creativity, with no direct biblical relevance. The name gained prominence during the Renaissance and continues to be associated with educational and intellectual pursuits.
The name Minerva is most popular in Texas, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the G.I. Generation generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is gaining popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Minerva has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Minerva' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 469th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 617th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 735th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1058th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1710th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 3048th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2542nd out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Minerva' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Minerva"
Pronunciation
/mɪˈnɜːrvə/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The name Minerva is derived from the Latin word 'mens', meaning 'mind' or 'intellect'. In Roman mythology, Minerva was the goddess of wisdom, warfare, and the arts.
Meaning
wisdom, intellect
Language Evolution
Minerva (Latin), Minervā (Classical Latin), Minerva (Modern English)
Historical Usage
Minerva gained popularity in the Renaissance period as a symbol of knowledge and learning, often associated with the arts and sciences.
Variants & Derivatives
Minervina, Min, Minnie
Modern Popularity & Image
Minerva is often viewed as a symbol of wisdom and intelligence, frequently used in educational contexts and institutions.
Famous People
Minerva McGonagall (fictional character from the Harry Potter series), Minerva Teichmann (historical figure in the field of literature)
Explore More Minerva Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Minerva"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Minerva"
"Minerva" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 469th of 9107 | 3,744 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 617th of 9204 | 2,323 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 735th of 12526 | 3,356 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1058th of 19264 | 1,844 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1710th of 27321 | 1,253 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 3048th of 35406 | 825 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2542nd of 30306 | 846 |
Regional Popularity of "Minerva" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Minerva" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
38.42% 544th/1416 |
23.86% 329th/1379 |
23.84% 564th/2366 |
67.78% 774th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
82.15% 1270th/1546 |
36.31% 565th/1556 |
20.82% 490th/2353 |
66.84% 1034th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
49.66% 1106th/2227 |
23.29% 566th/2430 |
20.57% 587th/2853 |
33.80% 938th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
46.48% 1365th/2937 |
26.90% 937th/3483 |
24.62% 866th/3518 |
20.08% 812th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
57.58% 2122nd/3685 |
42.50% 1902nd/4475 |
27.63% 1435th/5194 |
17.44% 1102nd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- |
80.27% 4145th/5164 |
36.41% 2663rd/7313 |
25.63% 1913th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
67.09% 2673rd/3984 |
65.79% 2952nd/4487 |
40.81% 2784th/6822 |
31.84% 1998th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Minerva"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Minerva" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.