Meena

Meena is a feminine given name used in India, primarily among Hindi, Marathi, and Tamil speakers. It serves as an alternate transcription of the Hindi/Marathi name मीना or the Tamil name மீனா, ultimately derived from the Sanskrit element मीन (mīna), meaning "fish." In Hindu astrology, this term refers to the sign of Pisces in the zodiac. Despite the popular use of the name, it is also notably the name of the Meena tribe, a community in northern and western India that historically claimed descent from the Matsya avatar (the fish incarnation of Vishnu) and were once classified as a criminal tribe under British rule before being granted Scheduled Tribe status in 1954. However, as a personal name, Meena is particularly associated with the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Jayalalithaa Jayaram, who was affectionately known as "Meena" in the media, and with various characters in Indian cinema and television. The name is phonetically and etymologically related to Mina 2, which shares the same Sanskrit root and celestial associations.

• Meaning: "fish" (Sanskrit: mīna)
• Origin: Sanskrit
• Type: Feminine given name
• Usage regions: India (Hindi, Marathi, Tamil-speaking areas)
• Religious significance: Connected to the zodiac sign Pisces in Hindu astrology