Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Origin and meaning of the name Mena

Discover my first name's origin now

What is the origin of the name Mena?

The name Mena is of Greek origin. It is a shortened form of several Greek names such as Amelia, Aemiliana, and Eumeneia, all of which are derived from the Greek word "eumenos," meaning well-disposed or kindly. The name Mena has been used as a given name in the Eastern Orthodox Church for female saints, including Saint Mena, an Egyptian martyr who was beheaded during Diocletian's persecution of Christians. It is also found as a male name in Greece and other parts of the world.

Learn more about the origin of the name Mena

The meaning, etymology, and origin of the name Mena

The name Mena is a feminine given name of ancient origins, primarily associated with Egypt and Greece. In Egyptian mythology, Mena was an alternate spelling for Menhit, a goddess of childbirth and midwifery. She was often depicted with the head of a lioness or hippopotamus. The name also has roots in Greek, where it is derived from the word "Mene," meaning month or moon. In classical Greece, Mena was used as an abbreviation for Menandra, which means "intelligent."

Over time, the name has been adopted and transformed across various cultures. It gained popularity in the Middle Ages through the legend of Mena the Martyr, a Christian saint who was believed to have been martyred during the Roman Empire's persecution of Christians. The name has seen a resurgence in modern times due to its unique and intriguing etymology. Today, Mena is known as a strong and meaningful name, evoking images of power, wisdom, and divine femininity.

Character traits associated with the name Mena

The name Mena is often associated with individuals who possess a strong sense of intuition and wisdom. These people are known for their empathetic nature, making them excellent listeners and advisors to those around them. They tend to be deeply spiritual, seeking a greater understanding of the world and their place in it. Mena's are also creative thinkers, with a keen eye for beauty and an artistic flair that they often express through various forms of self-expression. They are resilient, adapting well to change and overcoming challenges with grace and tenacity. However, they may sometimes be perceived as aloof or mysterious due to their introspective nature. Overall, the name Mena signifies an individual who is intuitive, empathetic, creative, resilient, and spiritually inclined.

Popularity of the name Mena

The name Mena is relatively uncommon among English-speaking countries, but it holds significance in various cultural contexts, particularly in Egypt and Ethiopia. In these regions, Mena is a variant of the more popular names Menat or Menas, which have historical roots dating back to ancient Egyptian times. However, globally, the name Mena does not rank high on popularity lists. According to data from the United States Social Security Administration, for instance, the name Mena has never ranked among the top 1000 most popular names for boys or girls in the U.S. since the 1880s. Its scarcity suggests that it is not widely used in the English-speaking world, although its unique origin and cultural significance may contribute to its appeal for some parents seeking a distinctive name for their child.

Famous people with the name Mena

Mena Suvari is an American actress known for her roles in films such as "American Pie" and "Lars and the Real Girl." She has been nominated for a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award. Born in 1979, she started her acting career at a young age and has appeared in numerous movies and television shows since then.

Mena Suvari is not the only well-known person with this name. Mena Massoud is an Egyptian-Canadian actor who rose to fame for playing the titular character in Disney's live-action remake of "Aladdin" (2019). Prior to this role, he gained recognition for his work on television shows like "Open Heart" and "Beverly Hills Cop."

Lastly, Menahem Golan is a prolific Israeli film producer who has worked in both Israel and the United States. He co-founded Cannon Films, a production company that produced several successful films throughout the 1980s and 1990s, such as "Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo" and "Master of the Game." His contributions to the film industry have earned him recognition as one of Israel's most influential figures in entertainment.

Variations of the name Mena

The name Mena has multiple variants and derivations across various cultures. In Greek, Mena is short for names like Menandros, Menelaos, or Menelaus, which are derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "men", meaning "strength" or "power". In Arabic, Mena (or Minha) is a feminine given name, meaning "source of joy" or "one who brings delight." Additionally, Mena can also be found in Ethiopia as a diminutive form of Menbere, which means "queen of the kings" in Amharic. Furthermore, it's worth noting that Mena is used occasionally in Hebrew, where it translates to "comforter," and in Armenian, where it denotes "wisdom." These variations highlight the versatility and adaptability of the name Mena across different linguistic and cultural contexts.
NomOrigine Team
About the author :

NomOrigine Team

Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.

Last updated :

Share the origin and meaning of your name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a first name

Enter the first name you are looking for below:

Similar First Names

#1 Mena davi

First name • forenames > mena-davi

The first name "Mena Davi" originates from the Hebrew language. "Mena" is a variation of the Hebrew name "Menahem" which means "comforter" or "consoler." "Davi" is a Hebrew name me...

#2 Menad

First name • forenames > menad

The origin of the first name "Menad" is rooted in Arabic. "Menad" is a variation of the name "Mounir," which also has Arabic origins. Both names hold similar meanings, often transl...

#3 Ménaïs

First name • forenames > menais

I'm sorry, but I couldn't find any information about the origin or meaning of the name "Menais." It is possible that the name may be very rare or unique, or it could potentially be...

#4 Menaj

First name • forenames > menaj

The name Menaj has French origins.

#5 Menakhsi

First name • forenames > menakhsi

The name Menakshi is of Indian origin. It is derived from the name of the Hindu goddess Meenakshi, who is also known as Parvati or Durga. The name Menakshi means "one with fish-sha...

#6 Menal

First name • forenames > menal

The origin and meaning of the first name "Menal" are not well-documented or widely recognized. It appears to be of uncertain origin, and it does not have a clear etymology or backg...

#7 Menar

First name • forenames > menar

The origin of the given name Menar is not definitively known, as it is not a commonly used name in many cultures. However, some researchers suggest that it may be derived from vari...

#8 Menashe

First name • forenames > menashe

The name Menashe originates from the Hebrew language. It is derived from the Hebrew name מְנַשֶּׁה (Mənašše), which means "causing to forget" or "making to forget." In ...

#9 Menaxi

First name • forenames > menaxi

The first name Menaxi is of Hindu origin. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "menaka," which means "celestial dancer" or "heavenly beauty." Menaxi is a variation of the name Mena...

#10 Menayame

First name • forenames > menayame

The name Menayame does not have a clear origin or meaning in English. It is possible that it could be a unique or rare name with a specific cultural or linguistic background outsid...

#11 Menaz

First name • forenames > menaz

The origin of the name "Menaz" is of Arabic origin.

#12 Menchi

First name • forenames > menchi

The name "Menchi" is of Spanish origin and is a diminutive form of the name Mercedes. It is used as a nickname or term of endearment for someone named Mercedes.

#13 Mencia

First name • forenames > mencia

The first name Mencia is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the medieval Spanish name Menzia, which was the feminine form of Menzo, a Visigothic name of uncertain meaning.

#14 Menda piedad

First name • forenames > menda-piedad

The first name "Menda Piedad" does not have a widely known origin or meaning in English. It appears to be a combination of two names.

#15 Mendossa

First name • forenames > mendossa

The origin and meaning of the first name "Mendossa" is not clear as it seems to be a rare or unique name. It does not have a well-documented origin or a specific cultural backgroun...