Manasseh Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: muh-NAS-uh //məˈnæsə//
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Hebrew: 'He who makes forget'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Manasseh originates from the Hebrew name מְנַשֶּׁה (Menashsheh), which is derived from the root verb נָשָׁה (nashah), meaning "to forget." The name is often interpreted as "he who causes to forget," reflecting a biblical narrative where Joseph, the son of Jacob, named his firstborn Manasseh to signify that God had made him forget his troubles and his father's house. This name was subsequently transliterated into Greek as Μανασσης (Manassēs) and later into Latin as Manasses, before being adopted into Old French and eventually into English as Manasseh.
Historically, Manasseh is a significant figure in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Genesis, where he is mentioned as one of the two sons of Joseph and Asenath. The name also appears in the context of the tribes of Israel, as Manasseh became the name of one of the twelve tribes, which was allotted land in the Promised Land.
The tribe of Manasseh is noted in various biblical accounts, including the conquest narratives in the Book of Joshua, around the 13th century BCE, and the later historical accounts in the Books of Kings and Chronicles, where the actions of King Manasseh of Judah, who reigned in the 7th century BCE, are described. Culturally, the name Manasseh carries connotations of resilience and divine providence, reflecting the biblical themes of redemption and the importance of memory in the Jewish tradition.
The name has been used in various religious texts and has appeared in Christian contexts as well, particularly in discussions of the Old Testament figures. The enduring legacy of the name is also seen in its association with the themes of forgiveness and the ability to overcome past hardships, which resonate across different cultures and eras.
Famous people named Manasseh
In this section, you will find notable people named Manasseh. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Manasseh who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Manasseh who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Manasseh Ben Israel was a Dutch Sephardic rabbi, best known for his works on Jewish philosophy and his role in the early history of the Jewish community in England.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Manasseh, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Manasseh. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Manasseh was first seen in the United States in 1974.
Manasseh has ranked as high as #7903 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in Texas.
In the past 5 years the name Manasseh has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Manasseh is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Manasseh was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Manasseh.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| 2024 | 30 | 30 | 0 |
| 2023 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 2022 | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| 2021 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 2020 | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| 2019 | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| 2018 | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| 2017 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 2016 | 26 | 26 | 0 |
| 2015 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 2014 | 26 | 26 | 0 |
| 2013 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 2012 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 2011 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 2010 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 2009 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 2008 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 2007 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 2006 | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| 2005 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 2004 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 2003 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 2002 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 2001 | 19 | 14 | 5 |
| 2000 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 1999 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 1998 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 1997 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 1996 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1995 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1994 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1992 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1991 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1988 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1978 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1976 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1974 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
Top States for Manasseh (2023)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 5 |