Manasseh
Primarily a boy's name with 554 recorded births. Also given to 5 girls.
Meaning & Origin
The elder son of Joseph in the Bible, eponymous ancestor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Manasseh is a boy's and girl's baby name of Hebrew origin, from the Hebrew Menashe, meaning 'causing to forget' or 'one who makes me forget,' named by Joseph when God caused him to forget his years of hardship. Manasseh was one of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Joseph named his firstborn son Manasseh saying 'God has made me forget all my trouble' — a name born from divine healing of memory and pain. As a given name, it carries that profound theological idea: the possibility that suffering can be transcended, that joy can replace sorrow. Ancient, rare, and deeply meaningful.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Manasseh's final sounds are sharp, distinct — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. In English-language naming, masculine names frequently end on harder consonants or closed syllables, creating a sense of decisiveness and strength. Manasseh follows that masculine pattern.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Manasseh's suffix pattern — names with similar endings often share a style and era, even when they come from different linguistic backgrounds.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Manasseh climbed 1074 spots in the last 20 years — from #4921 to #3847.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 107 | #4797 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 201 | #4979 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 146 | #5792 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 75 | #6427 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 9 | #5058 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 16 | #5785 | — |
The Story of Manasseh
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2024, Manasseh is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Manasseh are most likely born between 2014 and 2024.
How rare is Manasseh?
Only about 1 in every 124,138 babies born in 2024 was named Manasseh — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1974, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2010s with 201 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Manasseh by the numbers
- Would fill 12 school buses
- Meeting one Manasseh per day would take 1.5 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(37 years, 1974–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 29 | #3847 |
| 2023 | 23 | #4552 |
| 2022 | 19 | #5146 |
| 2021 | 17 | #5474 |
| 2020 | 19 | #4965 |
| 2019 | 20 | #4904 |
| 2018 | 22 | #4556 |
| 2017 | 23 | #4415 |
| 2016 | 26 | #4056 |
| 2015 | 18 | #5199 |
| 2014 | 26 | #3973 |
| 2013 | 15 | #5826 |
| 2012 | 23 | #4338 |
| 2011 | 16 | #5582 |
| 2010 | 12 | #6944 |
| 2009 | 13 | #6678 |
| 2008 | 18 | #5186 |
| 2007 | 9 | #8658 |
| 2006 | 20 | #4621 |
| 2005 | 11 | #6930 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Manasseh as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Manasseh has also been given to 5 girls in the U.S. since 2001.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Manasseh a boy's or girl's name?
When was Manasseh most popular?
How popular is the name Manasseh?
Can Manasseh be used for both boys and girls?
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1974–2024