Mana
Primarily a girl's name of Polynesian origin with 678 recorded births. Also given to 128 boys.
Meaning & Origin
a male surname
Mana is a girl's and boy's baby name of Polynesian origin, from the Polynesian mana, meaning 'spiritual power' or 'divine authority, supernatural force' — in Polynesian, Melanesian, and Māori traditions, mana is the sacred power that flows from the gods and imbues certain individuals and objects with extraordinary authority.
With over 678 recorded births, Mana is used in Pacific Islander and Māori communities as a name of profound spiritual significance. In Māori culture, a person of great mana commands deep respect — their authority is understood as divinely given rather than merely worldly. The concept of mana has entered English to describe any personal force that commands attention and respect. Naming a daughter Mana declares her to carry that sacred authority from birth.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Mana is rooted in the Polynesian tradition, but its presence in American naming since 1917 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
Mana’s 678 recorded births suggest it has found a niche — possibly within a specific cultural community, region, or naming subculture within the broader American landscape.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Mana was #5486 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #7095, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 90 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 231 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 173 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 87 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 54 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 13 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 12 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 5 | — |
| 1920s | 5 | ▼ |
| 1910s | 8 | — |
The Story of Mana
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2009, Mana is a name that defines a generation. Girls named Mana are most likely born between 1999 and 2019.
How rare is Mana?
Only about 1 in every 225,000 babies born in 2024 was named Mana — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1917, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2010s with 231 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Mana by the numbers
- Would fill 14 school buses
- Meeting one Mana per day would take 1.9 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(48 years, 1917–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 16 | #7095 |
| 2023 | 13 | #8317 |
| 2022 | 20 | #6128 |
| 2021 | 24 | #5340 |
| 2020 | 17 | #6813 |
| 2019 | 23 | #5552 |
| 2018 | 22 | #5719 |
| 2017 | 26 | #5136 |
| 2016 | 16 | #7480 |
| 2015 | 25 | #5401 |
| 2014 | 20 | #6349 |
| 2013 | 25 | #5427 |
| 2012 | 22 | #6038 |
| 2011 | 27 | #5150 |
| 2010 | 25 | #5535 |
| 2009 | 27 | #5327 |
| 2008 | 17 | #7620 |
| 2007 | 16 | #7958 |
| 2006 | 19 | #6746 |
| 2005 | 15 | #7762 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Mana as a Boy's Name
Though more common for girls, Mana has a notable history as a boy's name too, with 128 births since 2003.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mana a boy's or girl's name?
When was Mana most popular?
How popular is the name Mana?
Can Mana be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1917–2024