Aminta
|a-min-ta|
/əˈmɪntə/
defender; pastoral hero
Etymology
'Aminta' originates from Italian, specifically the word 'Aminta', ultimately from the Greek name 'Amyntas', where the root meant 'defender'.
'Aminta' changed from the Greek name 'Amyntas' (also preserved in Latin as 'Amyntas'), became used in Italian literature as 'Aminta' (notably as the title and protagonist of Tasso's pastoral), and was then adopted into English as the proper name/title 'Aminta'.
Initially it meant 'defender' as a personal name, but over time it became strongly associated with the pastoral hero and the title of Tasso's play in literary usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the title of a pastoral play by Torquato Tasso (first performed 1573) and the name of its protagonist — a shepherd and pastoral lover in Italian Renaissance literature.
Aminta is a pastoral drama by Torquato Tasso first performed in 1573.
Noun 2
a (male) given name derived from the Greek name Amyntas, historically meaning 'defender'.
Aminta is used as a male given name in parts of Italy and Europe.
Last updated: 2026/01/02 10:40