Minerva (Latin)-" Wisdom." Akin to the Sanscrit root " man," the Greek "menos," and the Latin "men," whence "mens," a mind. Hence Minerva literally means " one having a mind," " the thinking one," " wisdom." She was a Roman goddess who presided over the arts and sciences, poetry, spinning, and weaving. From this root, too, comes the Scottish " Minna " - " memory," given below. Minka - Polish form. Minna - German for Mima.

Minna (Teutonic)-" Memory." Used in Scotland. Minnehaha (Red Indian) - " Laughing water." She was the wife of Hiawatha, the name-hero of Longfellow's poem. Minthe (Greek) - " Virtue." A daughter of Cocytus. Pluto fell in love with her, and as a punishment Proserpine, his wife, changed her rival into the herb, mint. Minutia (Latin) - " Envied one." Mira - Contraction of Muriel. Miranda (Latin) - " To be admired." Miriam (Hebrew) - " Bitter." Miroslav (Slavonic) - " Peace, glory." Mnemosyne (Greek) - " Remembrance," or " memory." The wife of Jupiter and mother of the Nine Muses, who are truly the offspring of intellect and memory. Modesty - Another of the Puritan abstract-virtue names. Modestine (Modest) - French variant; though this latter may be from a Roman martyr, Modestus. Modestinus as a man's name dates back to Roman times, and then meant " moderation," from Latin "modus" - " a measure." Moina (Celtic) - " Soft." Moira (Celtic) - " The lady of the forts." From

Morrigu, the Erse goddess of battle. Molly (Hebrew) - " Bitter." With Molli, diminutive of Mary. Mona (Latin) - " Lonely." The root-form " m6n-au," is really British, and means " lonely," or " remote," and in this sense was applied by the Roman to the Isles of Anglesea and Man. Monaeella (Latin) - " Little nun." This name was originally Melangell, and meant honey-coloured or yellow, and was borne by a little Welsh nun who had golden coloured hair, and is buried at Pennant, Melangle. Moneha (Erse) - " Adviser." From Latin

"moneo" - "I warn." Mongfinn (Celtic) - " Fair-haired." Moniea (Latin) - "Adviser." English and Italian form. Either derived from "moneo," or else "mon-au." See Moneha and Mona above. A very popular name among Roman Catholics. Monique is the French form of the name. Other authorities trace it from Dominica - "Sunday-child " but the former derivation is that usually accepted. Morgana (Keltic) - " Dweller by the sea." From Welsh "mor " - "sea." Morgan la Fee was the sister of King Arthur, and from her is derived the old Sicilian theory that the palaces and watch-towers on their shores should be dedicated to La Fata Morgana - " the Lady of the Sea."

Morganee and Morgue - are French derivatives. Morgan is the popular masculine form. Also used as a surname

Morgwen (Keltic) - "Sea lady."

Mote Mahal (Arabic) - This fantastic name is equal to its meaning, " Pearl of the Harem."

Munera (Saracen) - "Despoiler."

Murcia (Greek) - "Love."

Muriel (Greek) - " Myrrh."

Murwari (Persian) - "Pearl."

Myeale (Greek) - "Enchantress."

Myra - Another variant of Muriel.

Myrrha and Myrtilla - Same as above.

Myrtle (English) - "Love." A flower name.

Mysie (Greek) - "A pearl." Scottish contraction of Margaret.

Nada (Slavonic) - "Hope." Also Nadan and Nadia.

Nadine - French form of above.

Nan (Hebrew) - " Grace." English contraction of Hannah.

Nancy - English variant of above.

Nanette (French) - Diminutive of Nan.

Nannie - Favourite Scottish form.

Nanna (Teutonic) - "Bold " or " brave."

She was the wife of Baldur, the Scandinavian god of beauty, and after his murder (by the treachery of Loki, who gave the blind god Hoder a bewitched mistletoe dart to cast at him) Nanna cast herself upon his funeral pyre and was burnt to death. The name is derived from the Gothic "Nanthjan," which signifies " to be courageous." It is quite possible that some of its variants, such as Nan, Nannie, etc., which are all given to "Chaanach," may have been really derived from this long-dead Viking wife.

Nanna - Italian form of Hannah.

Naomi (Hebrew) - " Pleasant."

Nareisse (Greek) - "Daffodil."

This name is derived from the Greek vapkaw " to put to sleep." The original holder of the title was a beautiful Greek youth, Narcissus, of Thespis. Wandering in the woods one day, he chanced upon a lake, and reclining by its mossy edge, beheld his image reflected in the water. He fell in love with the vision, and, thinking it to be the face of some lovely nymph of the lake, strove to take her in his arms, but naturally, each time he moved, the reflection did likewise, and at last, rendered desperate by his fruitless attempts, he killed himself in a fit of despair. From his blood sprang up the golden blossom that ever droops its head and loves to grow beside the water. A more elaborate version of the same story tells how Narcissus won the love of Echo, and then cast her aside, so that, broken-hearted, the fair nymph pined away into a mere voice, and in retribution he was made to fall hopelessly in love with his own image Natalia - "Christmas Child." Spanish and Italian form. Names of this class, such as Natalie, Noel, etc., are all connected with "Dies Natalis" (the birthday of our Lord), which occurred at Christmas, or rather created that festival.