Is Manu a boy's or girl's name?

Manu is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 5 recorded births.

When was Manu most popular?

Manu reached its peak popularity in 2006 with 27 births that year. It is currently ranked #5352 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Manu?

Manu is currently ranked #5352 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 677 babies since 1972.

Manu

An uncommon pick — distinctive and rare.

Boy's name| Also girlsDeclining Also a pet name

#5352▼ 358in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A title accorded to the progenitor of mankind, first king to rule this earth, who saved mankind from a great global flood.

Manu is a boy's and girl's baby name of Sanskrit origin, meaning 'man, mankind' or 'the thinker.' In Hindu cosmology, Manu is the progenitor of humanity — the lawgiver who survived the great flood and established civilization. The name appears in sacred texts as ancient as the Rigveda.

Manu is also a beloved given name across Polynesia (particularly in Maori and Hawaiian as 'bird') and Latin America. Its cross-cultural resonance gives it a truly universal quality.

Compare Manu with another name

Popularity Over Time

Manu was #4712 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #5352, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Manu
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	101	#4929	▼
2010s	159	#5806	▼
2000s	177	#5071	▲
1990s	88	#6603	▲
1980s	86	#4932	▲
1970s	66	#3932	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(51 years, 1972–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Manu
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	18	#5352	-2 (-10.0%)
2023	20	#4994	+1 (5.3%)
2022	19	#5147	-6 (-24.0%)
2021	25	#4184	+6 (31.6%)
2020	19	#4966	+5 (35.7%)
2019	14	#6293	-1 (-6.7%)
2018	15	#5950	-2 (-11.8%)
2017	17	#5437	-3 (-15.0%)
2016	20	#4878	+3 (17.6%)
2015	17	#5435	+5 (41.7%)
2014	12	#6911	-9 (-42.9%)
2013	21	#4561	+5 (31.3%)
2012	16	#5633	+5 (45.5%)
2011	11	#7315	-5 (-31.3%)
2010	16	#5642	-2 (-11.1%)
2009	18	#5234	+7 (63.6%)
2008	11	#7533	-14 (-56.0%)
2007	25	#4080	-2 (-7.4%)
2006	27	#3741	+8 (42.1%)
2005	19	#4578	+1 (5.6%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Manu as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Manu has also been given to 5 girls in the U.S. since 1996.

Unranked

Current rank

Total births

1996

Peak year

Compare Manu as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Manu be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Manu is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #5352. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Manu has two lives

Manu, the baby name

#5352boys

677 babies

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Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1972–2024) · Methodology