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HelpMinerva
I've come across Minerva recently and I'm not sure how I feel. I love the history, but the 'nerve' part sticks out too much.
I'm thinking it would make a really good name for a cat.
I'm thinking it would make a really good name for a cat.
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I like it. I think the vibe is vaguely like Rowena, Irma, Ursula, Minnie, Marjorie, Miranda, Mirta, Niobe, Vivienne, Veda. It's more curmudgeonly than Athena but less so than Vesta.
It seems intense in an understated way.
I used to have a boss named Minerva. She was born in the 70s in Mexico.
I don't get hung up on the the nerve part, but if I did, I wouldn't feel like it's negative; nerve means daring, and being nervy can be endearing. I'm in the minority who like Minerve better than Minerva anyway. There's a reliable grandma type character named Minerve in a book I like (written in the 70s, set in the Caribbean), so maybe I associate it with that.
It seems intense in an understated way.
I used to have a boss named Minerva. She was born in the 70s in Mexico.
I don't get hung up on the the nerve part, but if I did, I wouldn't feel like it's negative; nerve means daring, and being nervy can be endearing. I'm in the minority who like Minerve better than Minerva anyway. There's a reliable grandma type character named Minerve in a book I like (written in the 70s, set in the Caribbean), so maybe I associate it with that.
This message was edited 4/17/2023, 8:30 AM
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What's the book?
I'm listening to a series of podcasts written and hosted by Meg McCauly. Her pen name is Minerva Sweeney Wren, which is why the name has been on my mind. They're very well-done.
So many of the names you listed - Ursula, Marjorie, Miranda, Niobe, Vivienne - are favorites. I have really been digging Ursula lately.
I like Vesta better than Minerva. Part of the problem with Minerva is that it gives me a vibe of a very stern, angry older woman. Judgemental, incredibly snobby. The type who was hanging on to proper social status in the 1940s, decrying the end of society that people were getting so uppity.
I'm listening to a series of podcasts written and hosted by Meg McCauly. Her pen name is Minerva Sweeney Wren, which is why the name has been on my mind. They're very well-done.
So many of the names you listed - Ursula, Marjorie, Miranda, Niobe, Vivienne - are favorites. I have really been digging Ursula lately.
I like Vesta better than Minerva. Part of the problem with Minerva is that it gives me a vibe of a very stern, angry older woman. Judgemental, incredibly snobby. The type who was hanging on to proper social status in the 1940s, decrying the end of society that people were getting so uppity.
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I was thinking of The Bridge of Beyond, but I googled it just now, and I think I got it mixed up with something else or maybe it depends on the translation (I know I have seen a character named Minerve somewhere!). Anyway, the grandmother in that is named Toussine, and Minerva is Toussine's mother.
Eta: The Minerva I knew was snarky, always smiling, raising her granddaughter and worked at a bakery.
Eta: The Minerva I knew was snarky, always smiling, raising her granddaughter and worked at a bakery.
This message was edited 4/17/2023, 11:15 AM
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I try to think of saying Minerva like "mi-NER-va" rather than "mi-NERV-a", if that helps. I like Minerva a lot, I think it's quirky and charming with a great meaning. You use could Mimi and Miffy as nicknames as well as Minnie.
Alternatively, the name Athena could be a great option since she is the Greek counterpart of Minerva. There's also Bridget, who is the Irish goddess of wisdom. Maybe, since Minerva is possibly an Etruscan origin name, check out some Etruscan origin names like Camilla, Ignatia and Lavinia. There's a category down the bottom of those names that says "Etruscan" and you can browse more Etruscan names that way.
Alternatively, the name Athena could be a great option since she is the Greek counterpart of Minerva. There's also Bridget, who is the Irish goddess of wisdom. Maybe, since Minerva is possibly an Etruscan origin name, check out some Etruscan origin names like Camilla, Ignatia and Lavinia. There's a category down the bottom of those names that says "Etruscan" and you can browse more Etruscan names that way.
This message was edited 4/17/2023, 5:20 AM
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No kids to name here. :-D I love Bridget, it has a fascinating history. Lavinia, Ignatia, and Camilia are fun. I might stash those away for future pets, especially Ignatia.
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