Minna is a feminine name of Germanic origin, meaning

courtly love Courtly love ( oc, fin'amor ; french: amour courtois ) was a medieval European literary conception of love that emphasized nobility and chivalry. Medieval literature is filled with examples of knights setting out on adventures and performing vari ...

, and is also a diminutive of Wilhelmina. It is now particularly known in

Finland Finland ( fi, Suomi ; sv, Finland ), officially the Republic of Finland (; ), is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It shares land borders with Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of Bo ...

and Sweden.http://verkkopalvelu.vrk.fi/Nimipalvelu/default.asp?L=1 nimipalvelu

Notable people

A–F

Minna Aalto Minna Maarit Aalto (born 8 November 1965) is a Finnish windsurfer. She competed in multiple sailing events at the 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympics The 2000 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the XXVII Olympiad and also known as Sydney 2 ...

(born 1965), Finnish sport sailor * Minna Aaltonen (1966–2021), Finnish actress *

Minna Antrim Minna Thomas Antrim (October 13, 1861, Philadelphia – 1950) was an American writer. She is famous for the remark "Experience is a good teacher, but she sends in terrific bills." Life and career Born in Philadelphia Philadelphia, often cal ...

(1861–1950), American writer *

Minna Arve Minna Arve (born 1974) is a Finnish politician who serves as the mayor of Turku. Since August 2021 the post of the mayor became an elected office instead of a hired position. She represents the National Coalition Party. Education Arve first ...

(born 1974), Finnish politician *

Minna Atherton Minna Atherton (born 17 May 2000) is an Australian competitive swimmer who won the gold medals in the 100- and 200-metre backstroke events at the 2015 FINA World Junior Swimming Championships in Singapore. She tied the junior world record (hel ...

(born 2000), Australian competitive swimmer * Minna Beckmann-Tube (1881–1964), German painter and opera singer, and wife of Max Beckmann *

Minna Canth Minna Canth (; born Ulrika Wilhelmina Johnson; 19 March 1844 – 12 May 1897) was a Finnish writer and social activist. Canth began to write while managing her family draper's shop and living as a widow raising seven children. Her work addres ...

(1844–1897), Finnish writer and social activist * Minna Carleton (1847–1918), English novelist *

Minna Cauer Wilhelmine Theodore Marie Cauer, née Schelle, usually known as Minna Cauer (1 November 1841 in Freyenstein – 3 August 1922 in Berlin) was a German pedagogue, activist in the so-called "radical" wing of the German bourgeois feminist movemen ...

(1841–1922), German educator, journalist and radical activist *

Minna Citron Minna Wright Citron (October 15, 1896 – December 21, 1991) was an American painter and printmaker. Her early prints focus on the role of women, sometimes in a satirical manner, in a style known as urban realism. Early life and education ...

(1896–1991), American painter and printmaker * Minna Cowan (1878–1951), British political activist *

Minna Craucher Madame Minna Craucher (23 August 1891 – 8 March 1932) was the false name of Maria Vilhelmiina Lindell, a Finnish socialite and spy. Her home was a noted salon for various writers and artists. She also did espionage, originally for the Cheka, t ...

(1891–1932), Finnish socialite and spy *

Minna Everleigh Ada and Minna Everleigh, born Ada and Minna Simms, were two sisters who operated the Everleigh Club, a high-priced brothel in the Levee District of Chicago during the first decade of the twentieth century. Ada, the eldest, was born in Greene Co ...

(1866–1948), American brothel owner *

Minna Fernald Minna Rose Fernald (1860–1954) was an American botanical artist. Her subjects were mainly landscapes and wildflowers. She received awards for her art and also a medal for work with the Red Cross during World War 1. She was born Minna Rose ...

(1860–1954), American botanical artist *

Minna Flake Margareta "Minna" Flake (née Mai; November 27, 1886 – February 12, 1958) was a German born physician and socialist who fled Germany during World War II and settled in New York City. Early life Margareta Mai was born on November 27, 1886, in Wü ...

(1886–1958), German physician and socialist

G–M

Minna Gale Minna Gale (September 26, 1869 – March 4, 1944), also credited as Minna K. Gale and Minna Gale Haynes, was an American actress. Early life Minna Kathalina Gale was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, the daughter of C. K. Gale; after her father's d ...

(1869–1944), American stage and film actress *

Minna Gombell Minna Marie Gombell (''née'' Gombel; May 28, 1892 – April 14, 1973) was an American stage and film actress. Early years She was born Minna Marie Gombel in Baltimore, Maryland, the daughter of William and Emma M. Debring Gombel. Her father ...

(1892–1973), American stage and film actress *

Minna Grey Minna Grey (1877 in London, England – 1935) was an English actress of the silent era. Death Grey died in 1935, 2 days before her 59th birthday. Selected filmography * ''The Shulamite'' (1915) * ''Just a Girl'' (1916) * '' The Second Mrs. Tan ...

(1868–1935), English film actress *

Minna Haapkylä Minna-Maria Erika Haapkylä (born 10 June 1973 in Helsinki) is a Finnish actress. She has won two Jussi Awards; one for the best actress in a supporting role for a 1999 Veikko Aaltonen film ''Rakkaudella Maire'', and another in 2009 for the best a ...

(born 1973), Finnish film actress * Minna B. Hall, American socialite and environmentalist *

Minna Harkavy Minna Harkavy (November 13, 1887 – 1987) (birth occasionally listed as 1895) was an American sculptor. She was born in Estonia to Yoel and Hannah Rothenberg and immigrated to the United States around 1900. She studied at the Art Students Lea ...

(1887–1987), Estonian-American sculptor *

Minna Heponiemi Minna Heponiemi (born 10 August 1977) is a Swedish former women's international footballer who played as a forward. She was a member of the Sweden women's national football team and took part in the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup. Early life Heponi ...

(born 1977), Swedish footballer *

Minna Herzlieb Christiane Friederike Wilhelmine Herzlieb, known as Minna (22 May 1789 – 10 July 1865) was the foster-daughter of the German publisher Carl Friedrich Ernst Frommann (1765–1839). Life Her father was a superintendent in her birthplace o ...

(1789–1865), German publisher *

Minna Hesso Minna Hesso (born 15 March 1976) is a Finnish snowboarder. She was born in Vantaa. She competed at the 1998 Winter Olympics, in halfpipe, and also at the 2002 Winter Olympics The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winte ...

(born 1976), Finnish snowboarder * Minna Jørgensen (1904–1975), Danish film actress *

Minna Karhu Minna Karhu (born 2 November 1971) is a Finnish freestyle skier. She was born in Vantaa. She competed at the 1992 Winter Olympics, at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, and at the 1998 and 2002 Winter Olympics. Her best Olympic achievement ...

(born 1971), Finnish freestyle skier * Minna Kauppi (born 1982), Finnish orienteer *

Minna Keal Minna Keal, ''née'' Mina Nerenstein (22 March 1909 – 14 November 1999) was a British composer. After early compositions as a student, she only returned to composing at the end of her life. Aged 80 when her music was first performed at the Pr ...

(1909–1999), British composer * Minna Keene (1861–1943), German-Canadian portrait photographer * Minna Kleeberg (1841–1878), German-American poet *

Minna Lachs Minna Lachs (born as ''Minna Schiffmann''; 1907–1993) was an Austrian educator and memoirist. She was born in Terebovlia, then Trembowla in what was then referred to as the Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria. The events of World War I led them ...

(1907–1993), Austrian educator and memoirist * Minna Lammert or Tamm (1852–1921), German operatic mezzo-soprano *

Minna Lederman Minna Lederman Daniel (3 March 189629 October 1995) was a music writer and editor of the magazine ''Modern Music'' for more than 20 years. Life Lederman was born in Manhattan and studied music, dance and drama as a child. She graduated from Barnard ...

(1896–1995), American music writer and editor *

Minna Lehtola Minna Lehtola (born 24 January 1967) is a Finnish fencer. She competed in the individual épée event at the 1996 Summer Olympics The 1996 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the XXVI Olympiad, also known as Atlanta 1996 and common ...

(born 1967), Finnish fencer * Minna Lewinson (1897–1938), American journalist *

Minna Lindgren Minna-Liisa Gabriela Lindgren (born 22 January 1963) is a Finnish writer and journalist who is a best-selling crime fiction novelist. Born in Helsinki, Lindgren has worked as a journalist and columnist and has written works on classical music. He ...

(born 1963), Finnish writer and journalist *

Minna Meriluoto Minna Johanna Kauppinen (; born 4 October 1985) is a Finnish international football goalkeeper. At club level she plays in the Naisten Liiga for HJK Helsinki. Club career Meriluoto participated in the 2005–06 UEFA Women's Cup with FC Unit ...

(born 1985), Finnish football goalkeeper

N–Z

Minna Nieminen Minna Nieminen (born 31 August 1976 in Lappeenranta) is a Finnish rower. She won a silver medal in the women's lightweight double sculls at the 2008 Summer Olympics The 2008 Summer Olympics (), officially the Games of the XXIX Olympiad ...

(born 1976), Finnish rower *

Minna Nikkanen Minna Marianne Nikkanen (born 9 April 1988, in Somero) is a Finnish pole vaulter. Her personal best vault is 4.60 metres (national record), achieved in August 2015 in Kuortane. Nikkanen won gold medal in 2007 European Junior Championships (4.3 ...

(born 1988), Finnish pole vaulter * Minna Nystedt (born 1967), Norwegian speed skater *

Minna Painilainen-Soon Minna Painilainen-Soon (born 12 July 1964) is a Finnish sprinter. She competed in the women's 4 × 100 metres relay at the 1992 Summer Olympics The 1992 Summer Olympics ( es, Juegos Olímpicos de Verano de 1992, ca, Jocs Olímpics d'est ...

(born 1964), Finnish sprinter * Minna Palmroth, Finnish professor in computational space physics *

Minna Peschka-Leutner Minna Peschka-Leutner, ''née'' Minna von Leutner (25 October 1839 – 12 January 1890) was an Austrian opera singer. Her voice, a soprano of extraordinary breadth and agility, combined with skill as an actress and a pleasant appearance, made he ...

(1839–1890), Austrian opera singer *

Minna Planer Christine Wilhelmine "Minna" Planer (5 September 180925 January 1866) was a German actress and the first wife of composer Richard Wagner, to whom she was married for 30 years, although for the last 10 years they often lived apart. At an early age, ...

(1809–1866), German actress and first wife of Richard Wagner *

Minna Rozen Minna Rozen (born October 1947) is a professor emeritus at the Department of Jewish History at the University of Haifa. Rozen served as head of the Diaspora Research Center at Tel Aviv University, and specializes in the history of Jews in the Otto ...

(born 1947), Israeli professor of Jewish history * Minna Salami (born 1978), Finnish Nigerian journalist *

Minna Salmela Minna Salmela (born May 3, 1971 in Oulu) is a retired female freestyle sprint swimmer from Finland. Salmela competed for her native country at two consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in 1992 in Barcelona, Spain. Her best result was a 14th plac ...

(born 1971), Finnish freestyle sprint swimmer *

Minna Sirnö Minna Maaria Sirnö (born 14 May 1966 in Tampere) is a Finnish politician and member of Finnish Parliament The Parliament of Finland ( ; ) is the unicameral and supreme legislature of Finland, founded on 9 May 1906. In accordance with the ...

(born 1966), Finnish politician *

Minna Specht Minna Specht (22 December 1879 in Schloss Reinbek – 3 February 1961 in Bremen) was a German educator, socialist and member of the German Resistance. She was one of the founders of the Internationaler Sozialistischer Kampfbund. Early years Min ...

(1879–1961), German educator and socialist *

Minna Stocks Minna Stocks (1846-1928) was a German painter known for her animal paintings. Biography Stocks was born on 24 June 1846 in Schwerin, Germany. She studied with Carl Steffeck, , Gustav Graef, and Jeanna Bauck. She exhibited her work at the Woma ...

(1846–1928), German painter *

Minna Sundberg Minna Sundberg (born January 9, 1990) is a Swedish-speaking Finnish illustrator and cartoonist born in Sweden. She is known for the webcomics ''A Redtail's Dream'' (aRTD), and '' Stand Still, Stay Silent'' (SS, SS). Biography Minna Sundberg wa ...

(born 1990), Finnish illustrator and cartoonist *

Minna Telde Minna Telde (born 1974) is a Swedish horse rider. She was born in Uppsala and competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. She also represented Sweden in individual dressage and team dressage at the 2012 Summer Olympics The 2012 Sum ...

(born 1974), Swedish horse rider *

Minna Turunen Minna Turunen (born 22 April 1969 in Lahti) is a Finland, Finnish actress. Turunen graduated from the Helsinki Theatre Academy in 1994. Turunen's son is the actor and TV host Roope Salminen. Filmography Television * ''Salatut elämät'' ( ...

(born 1969), Finnish TV and film actress *

Minna Vehmasto Minna Vehmasto (born 28 March 1962 in Kuusjoki) is a retired Finnish high jumper. She finished twelfth at the 1983 World Championships. She was Finnish champion in 1980, 1981, and 1983. Her personal best jump was 1.91 metres, achieved in July 19 ...

(born 1962), Finnish high jumper *

Minna Weizmann Minna Weizmann (1889–1925) was a Russian Jewish doctor who served in Syria and Palestine during World War I. Weizmann also served as a spy for Germany. Weizmann was born in Motal, Russian Empire (now in Belarus) to a prominent family. Her pare ...

(1889–?), Russian Jewish doctor * Minna Wetlesen (1821–1891), Norwegian educator, teacher and author *

Minna Wettstein-Adelt Minna Wettstein-Adelt (1869-died around 1908, precise date unknown) was a German-French journalist and writer, who also wrote under the names Aimée Duc and Helvetia. Life Born on 1 May 1869 in Strassburg, Minna Adelt-Duc grew up in France. She ...

(1869–c.1908), German-French journalist and writer *

Minna of Worms Minna of Worms (died in May 1096) was a Jewish businesswoman and martyr. She was an influential Jew, being a significant moneylender with clients and friends among the Christian nobility. Minna was one of the most famous victims of the 1096 Worms m ...

(died 1096), Jewish martyr

Fictional characters

* Minna Troil, a leading character in Walter Scott's novel '' The Pirate'' *

Minna-Dietlinde Wilcke The ''Strike Witches'' mixed-media project features an extensive cast of characters created by Fumikane Shimada. The series takes place in an alternate Earth in the mid-20th century and revolves around a group of teenage girls who use machines ...

, a major character in the media franchise ''

Strike Witches is a Japanese media mix originally created by Fumikane Shimada via a series of magazine illustration columns. The franchise has since been adapted into several light novel, manga, and anime series and various video games. ...

References

{{given name Finnish feminine given names