Find out how popular the first name Minela has been for the last 14 years (from 2003 to 2016) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Minela by gender

Based on the last 14 years of data, Minela is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2016, there were 7 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Minela.

The history of the first name Minela

The name Minela is believed to have originated in the Balkan region, specifically in the countries of Croatia and Bosnia. It is a Slavic name derived from the word "miljen," which means "beloved" or "dear one." The name is thought to have first emerged in the Middle Ages, around the 12th or 13th century.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Minela can be found in a Croatian medieval text from the 14th century, where it was used to refer to a woman of noble birth. The name gained popularity among the Croatian and Bosnian nobility during this period, and it was often given to daughters as a symbol of affection and endearment.

In the 16th century, a Bosnian noblewoman named Minela Kosača was mentioned in historical records for her involvement in political affairs and her influential role in the region. She is considered one of the earliest notable figures to bear the name Minela.

Another prominent individual with the name Minela was Minela Kružić, a Croatian writer and poet who lived in the 19th century (1835-1905). Her works were widely celebrated and contributed to the cultural renaissance of the time.

In the early 20th century, Minela Vrbić (1905-1988) was a renowned Croatian sculptor and painter. Her artistic contributions were significant, and she is remembered as one of the most influential artists of her time in the Balkan region.

Another notable figure was Minela Ajanović (1925-2003), a Bosnian writer and journalist who played a vital role in the literary scene of the former Yugoslavia. Her works explored themes of identity, war, and the human condition.

While the name Minela has its roots in the Balkan region, it has since spread to other parts of the world, particularly among diaspora communities from Croatia and Bosnia. However, its origins and historical significance remain deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of these Slavic nations.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Minela was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Minela, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!