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Minerva

Girl name · Mexican

MeaningRoman goddess of wisdom · Latin

Minerva is a Mexican girl name meaning “Roman goddess of wisdom”, with Latin roots. Names from Latin have been passed down since Roman times and still feel polished and timeless. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name.

Did you know?

  • Word funMinerva doesn't repeat a single letter: 7 letters, all different.
  • Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Minerva would score 12 points, thanks largely to the V (worth 4).
  • GenerationMinerva peaked in 1880, which makes it a Victorian-era favorite, the kind of name you'd find on a great-great-grandparent.
  • Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Minerva would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 18,051 baby girls got the name in 2025.
  • HistoryMinerva has been in use since at least 1880, the first year US birth records were kept. That's 145 years of Minervas, and counting.
Happy baby lying on a soft blanket
hello, little Minerva

US births per million girls, 1880–2025

035070018801920196020002025

Similar names

Girl name: MinaGirl name: MinhaGirl name: MinnieUnisex name: MinkaUnisex name: MindelGirl name: Minah
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).

About the name Minerva

Minerva is a girl name of Mexican origin meaning “Roman goddess of wisdom”. With 3 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, so a short middle name balances it nicely. It was most fashionable in the 1880s, which gives it a vintage, grandparent-chic charm, and it's now coming back into style. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.

Origin:Mexican names

More Mexican girl names

Questions about the name Minerva

What does the name Minerva mean?

Minerva means “Roman goddess of wisdom” and comes from Latin. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Athena (“Greek goddess of wisdom”), Thea (“goddess”), Uma (“name of goddess Parvati”) and Meenakshi (“fish-eyed goddess”).

What is the origin of the name Minerva?

Minerva is Mexican in origin, and its meaning traces back to Latin. Other Mexican names to consider are Olivia (“olive tree”), Emma (“whole, universal”), Amelia (“work, industrious”) and Mia (“possibly beloved”).

Is Minerva a boy or girl name?

Minerva is a girl name. In 2025, 89 US girls were named Minerva.

How popular is the name Minerva?

Minerva ranked #2,099 for US girls in 2025, given to 89 babies. Its best year was 1880, when it reached #193. Over the last five years it has climbed 401 places.

What names are similar to Minerva?

If you like Minerva, you might also like Athena, Thea, Uma and Meenakshi.

What should I know before naming my baby Minerva?

Minerva is a Mexican girl name meaning “Roman goddess of wisdom”, with Latin roots. Names from Latin have been passed down since Roman times and still feel polished and timeless. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.