monika

Monika is a female given name used in many languages. It is a variant of Monica and appears in Central and Eastern Europe as Monika, while Monica is common in English-speaking countries and Italy, and Monique is used in French-speaking contexts. The name has a long history in Christian Europe, in part due to Saint Monica (c. 322–387 CE), the mother of Augustine of Hippo, whose veneration helped popularize the name across Catholic communities.

The origin and exact meaning of the name are uncertain. It is generally treated as a Latinized form of Monica, though its root may be unrelated to any single modern word. In various languages the spelling and pronunciation adapt to local phonology.

In contemporary times Monika is found widely in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Germany, the Nordic countries, and other parts of Europe, while Monica is more common in English-speaking areas. Diminutives and nicknames include Moni and Mona in many cultures.

In popular culture, Monika is known as a character in the 2017 indie video game Doki Doki Literature Club, where she is portrayed as the ostensibly omniscient moderator of the game's world, and her behavior is a notable example of meta-fiction in games.