Maina

Maina is a term with multiple meanings that vary by language and context. It is commonly associated with birds in South Asia as a local name for the myna, and it also appears as a personal name in several cultures. Because of these different uses, there is no single topic that dominates the term.

In aviculture and wildlife, maina often refers to the myna birds, which belong to the family Sturnidae. In languages such as Hindi, "maina" is the word used for the common myna (Acridotheres tristis) and related species. Mynas are medium-sized, highly adaptable passerines known for their vocal abilities and for thriving in urban and rural environments. The common myna has been introduced to many regions outside its native range, where it sometimes competes with native species.

As a personal name, Maina is used in various communities and can function as a given name or surname. Its exact etymology and gender associations differ by language and culture, and it may carry different symbolic meanings in different contexts. Because naming practices are diverse, entries for individuals named Maina are not consolidated into a single biography here.

The term may also appear in place names or cultural references in different regions, reflecting local languages and histories. See also related spellings such as myna or mynai, which refer to the same bird group in different transliterations.

See also: myna, mynah, Mynaa.