Maina
/ˈmaɪ.nə/noun
A variant spelling of myna, a starling-like bird known for its vocal mimicry.
Did you know?Mynas were prized in parts of South Asia for their ability to imitate human voices, giving them a long association with speech, performance, and mimicry.
Etymological Timeline
Sanskrit
Sanskrit
madanā
“A traditional Sanskrit form often cited as an early source for the bird’s name; its precise connection is debated.”
Medieval Indian languages
Hindi
mainā
“The name for the common myna or related starling species.”
18th–19th Century
Anglo-Indian English
maina
“An English rendering of the Hindi bird-name.”
19th Century
English
myna
“The increasingly common English spelling for the bird.”
Modern English
English
maina
“A recognized variant spelling of myna, especially in dictionaries and zoological contexts.”
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