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.
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.