Minetta is the name of Minetta Creek, an underground stream in New York City that was covered over between 1808 and 1828. The name apparently comes from the Lenape Unami language Manette or Manetta which may be related to Manitou, a general term among Alongquian Native Americans referring to a spiritual power or life force found in everything. It means “spirit” though I’ve seen some sites list it as meaning “devil’s water”.
Minetta can also be used as a nickname for Henrietta or Henriette (the feminine form of Henry “home ruler”) or Wilhelmina (meaning “desiring protection” or “willful protection” or “willful helmet”).
Origin: Proto-Algonquian; Proto-Indo-European
Meaning: the name of an underground creek in Manhattan “spirit” or possibly “devil’s water”; a nickname for Henrietta/Henriette “home ruler” or Wilhelmina “desiring protection” or “willful protection/ willful helmet”
Usage: English (as a given name)
Variants:
- Minette (English, French, Danish, Swedish)
Links:
Names Throughout the Ages 