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Mina

Girl name · 59 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Mina: 59 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 9 births in 2016.

Mina is a name with multiple roots, but for English and Scottish speakers it often began as a short form of Wilhelmina, from the Germanic elements *wil* (will or desire) and *helm* (helmet or protection). It also appears independently in Arabic, meaning “harbour,” and in Japanese as a word for “south” or “everyone.” Famous bearers include Italian pop singer Mina, whose powerful voice defined a generation, and Mina Loy, the avant-garde poet and artist. The name also belongs to the gentle yet resolute Mina Harker in Bram Stoker’s *Dracula*. The town of Mina in Saudi Arabia is a key site for the Hajj pilgrimage. A common variant is Meena, while the name’s literary association gives it a classic, quietly strong appeal.