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Is the name Minne, meaning either 'love' in German or 'memory' in Norwegian, actually used in these countries (either currently or historically). How is it pronounced? Thanks
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Hi Nell,
the German word Minne (Old High German minna, Middle High German minne, High German Minne) originally meant "dear memory" and got the meaning "love" later. So it's actually the same word as Norwegian/Swedish "minne" and Danish "minde".
- Caprice: "huske" is rather "komma ihåg" in Swedish (remember). ;)
As a first name the name Minne is extremely rare in all the Scandinavian countries and in Germany. The more common form of the name is Minna which is used in all of these countries.
In Germany the name was VERY popular in the end of the 19th century but nowadays it sounds very old fashioned and there are many Minna-expressions which will keep parents from choosing that name like:
Minna = skivvy, maid
Grüne Minna (green Minna) = police car
jmd. zur Minna machen (to make so. a Minna) = "to knock the stuffing out of so."
In Finnland Minna have been very popular for many years now and has become so common that people from other European countries sometimes believe it's a Finnish name, which isn't true.
In Sweden/Norway/Denmark the name becomes more popular now because old fashioned names seem to get modern there again, and usually Germany will follow a bit later.
Minna is pronounced MINN-nuh
Minne is pronounced MINN-neh (almost...) ;)
Regards, Satu
the German word Minne (Old High German minna, Middle High German minne, High German Minne) originally meant "dear memory" and got the meaning "love" later. So it's actually the same word as Norwegian/Swedish "minne" and Danish "minde".
- Caprice: "huske" is rather "komma ihåg" in Swedish (remember). ;)
As a first name the name Minne is extremely rare in all the Scandinavian countries and in Germany. The more common form of the name is Minna which is used in all of these countries.
In Germany the name was VERY popular in the end of the 19th century but nowadays it sounds very old fashioned and there are many Minna-expressions which will keep parents from choosing that name like:
Minna = skivvy, maid
Grüne Minna (green Minna) = police car
jmd. zur Minna machen (to make so. a Minna) = "to knock the stuffing out of so."
In Finnland Minna have been very popular for many years now and has become so common that people from other European countries sometimes believe it's a Finnish name, which isn't true.
In Sweden/Norway/Denmark the name becomes more popular now because old fashioned names seem to get modern there again, and usually Germany will follow a bit later.
Minna is pronounced MINN-nuh
Minne is pronounced MINN-neh (almost...) ;)
Regards, Satu
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The Old German word "minna" means "love, care", while the Swedish word "minne" (MIN-nuh) means "memory" (I think the Norwegian word for memory is something with "huske"...Satu probably knows!). Minna has been used as a nickname of Wilhelmina.
I've never heard Minne, although I guess it's just a variant of Minna or Minnie.
I've never heard Minne, although I guess it's just a variant of Minna or Minnie.
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