Comments for the name Minerva

The name "Minerva" may have derived from the Indo-European root "Men" as of "mental" and "memory" came from. Minerva is the daughter of Jupiter and Juno. Minerva was considered to be the virgin goddess of warriors, poetry, wisdom, commerce, crafts, music and medicine. Minerva is the Roman adaptation of the Greek Athena.

Famous bearer: Minerva McGonagall. She is the professor of transfiguration, head of Gryffindor house, and, since the ending of the Harry Potter books, the new Headmistress.

I don't like this name; its Greek equivalent, Athena, is much prettier. By the way, all you Harry Potter people are absolutely crazy.

A nice, beautiful and strong name. I like its meaning and pronunciation. It sounds like an intelligent, successful and attractive woman.

I don't really like this name because it either reminds of Harry Potter or that character from 'Animaniacs' who was totally annoying...and both are literally. Just my opinion though.

Minerva is indeed a femme fatale, and that goes to it's meaning "intellect" but also because of the way it sounds, so mysterious and too "strong." And I must agree Athena sounds simpler and prettier to me. This name to me conjures images of a very intelligent yet not-so-nice, mystery woman with a whole lot of "bad" attitude. Personally, not very nice for a child.

My real name is Minerva, I believe names are really important because the origin may determine some things in our life. Minerva (or Atenea) has a powerful meaning and a very interesting story. I agree it is as a name for an intelligent and attractive woman, it might be a strong name for a kid, but it gives a lot of personality to an adult (at least in my country).

Famous bearer: Minerva Paradizo, a female genius in "Artemis Fowl and the Lost Colony" by Eoin Colfer.

I think Minerva is a much prettier name than Athena. It sounds like a beautiful, intelligent woman who will go far in life.

A Dutch student fraternity, for women who study at the university of Leiden, is called "Minerva".
This fraternity has a reputation of being strict about who may join Minerva (including a horrific hazing for introduction and later on dress codes and many obligations) and it is said that they have a great influence in the business world: influential business people who where Minerva members help young ones to get hired at good firms, a ticket to excellent jobs, so to speak.
So I think, the name Minerva suits this fraternity very well. Highly intelligent, but cruel, cold and without mercy.

Minerva is also used in Spanish-speaking countries. Also a famous bearer was Minerva Mirabal, an activist in the Dominican Republic who was supposedly murdered by Trujillo.

This name sounds fun. Minnie would also be a cute nickname for a little girl. Also, in response to what soleta said, if it is a fraternity for girls, then it is called a sorority.

My niece was named Minerva after one of her mother's friends that passed away. When she told me the name I thought it was quite odd for a child. But as she grew and took on the nickname Minnie it really seemed to fit her as a child and she can use the full name when she gets older.

In mythology, the boastful girl Arachne challenged Minerva into a web-weaving contest. After that, Arachne was turned into a spider.

After reading the comments section here, I have stopped liking this name. It strikes me as a pretty, but cold name now. In English, the name has that ''nerve'' sound to it that sounds bad anyway, and it's quite an elitist name, even if it sounds nice in other languages.

I *strongly* prefer Minerva to Athena. ♥

My wife's name and it suits her perfectly, even with the description of 'cold'. We have a great relationship and she's an excellent mother, but she's a chemistry prof.

This name is just getting on my nerve-a. Sorry, but that's the way it is. Athena is wonderful compared to this.

It sounds pretty, but it has that snobbish, elitist feel to it.

This name is stunning. I haven't come across it as of yet on a real person.

I really love this name, I think it sounds really intelligent, historical, and just generally an all-round nice name, but it always makes me think of Maggie Smith playing Minerva McGonagall from Harry Potter, but I think that's a good thing. :)

Minerva "Mini" McGuinness is a fictional character on the British television show "Skins" (2007-).

It reminds me of a witch who has warts all over her face.

American actress and model Minerva Mendez (born 1992 in Hollywood, California).

I wish I knew a prettier way to pronounce this name, because I really love the spelling, meaning and conotation, but the harsh "er" sound makes me sad. But I love the comment about McGonagall--she is awesome!

This name could also come from men, "mental", and nerva, "strength" which, meaning wise makes a great deal of sense. But the two parts I have suggested may come from two separate languages.

My name is Minerva and honestly I don't think it sounds "cold". It's actually quite nice. I use the nickname Minnie for myself it has stuck around since I was a little girl. People use it when they have trouble pronouncing my name. The name is nice it self because it's very unique. I've only met one person with it.

Minnie Mouse's real name is actually Minerva.

I think of Minerva as strong, intelligent and beautiful but dangerous-sounding (but not cold). I think its a great name! I love it!