MallowbyNames

Menna

MEN-ah · The exact meaning is uncertain; it may be a Welsh form of a name meaning 'beloved' or a separate Welsh name related to 'men' (plant).

2025 rank (girls)
#10,107
Babies named in 2025
9
Peak popularity
2022
2025 frequency
1 in 178,585 girls
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Declining since 2022

Declining since 2022, #10,107 for girls today.

Popularity of Menna since 1997

Babies named Menna per year in U.S. Social Security records.

71421200020102020Most births 2022Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1990s12
2000s57
2010s91
2020s63

Meaning & origin

Menna is a name of dual heritage, rooted in both Welsh and Arabic traditions, though its exact etymology remains uncertain. In the United States, it is a rare choice, ranking 10,107 in 2025 with an incidence of 1 in 178,585 births. The name saw its peak popularity in 2022, with a trajectory that has been falling since then. Menna is a relatively modern arrival in U.S. records, first appearing in 1997. It has not yet recorded any top state concentrations, reflecting its sparse usage. Parents drawn to short, melodic names may appreciate Menna for its soft sound and cross-cultural appeal, even as it remains far outside the mainstream.

Menna is primarily a Welsh name, possibly a shortened form of names like Mened or a variant of Menna, which could be related to the Welsh word 'men' meaning 'plant' or derived from a root meaning 'beloved'. It is also used in Arabic, where it is sometimes considered a variant of Mina or a name with possible meanings like 'gift' or 'blessing'. The name has been used in Wales since the 20th century and gained some popularity in the 1990s and 2000s.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Men, Mena

Variants: Mena, Mina

Sibling names for Menna

Names that share Menna's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Carys, Eleri, Lowri, Sian, Tegan

Brothers: Dafydd, Gruffudd, Iwan, Owain, Rhys

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

M is for Menna, our favorite little girl.

M is for Menna…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Menna's letter becomes Menna's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Menna's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Menna mean?
The meaning of Menna is uncertain. In Welsh, it may derive from a word meaning 'beloved' or 'plant'. In Arabic contexts, it is often considered a variant of Mina with possible meanings like 'gift'.
Is Menna a popular name?
Menna is a rare name in the United States. In 2025, it ranked approximately 10,107, with about 1 in every 178,585 newborns given the name. Its peak popularity in the US was in 2022.
Is Menna a boy or girl name?
Menna is almost exclusively used as a girl's name.