Minna

Can also derive from Old High German Minna "love" (modern German Minne "intimate, romantic love" [now poetic or archaic]) or Old Norse minni "memory". Both are descendants of Proto-Indo-European *men-, *mnā- "to think; mind, intellect; spiritual activity" and of Proto-Germanic *minþiją "memory, remembrance".

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Thus, this name can be seen as a distant relative of the name Minerva and of the modern English words "mind", "mine", and even "mint" (as in a coin mint).

The name Minna can also be derived from the Old German word "Minne" meaning love. Originally, the word conveyed a sort of reminiscent and reverent "courtly" love, and not so much passion.