Menashe Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: meh-NAH-she //mɛˈnɑːʃeɪ//
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Hebrew: 'he has made me forget'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Menashe has its roots in the Hebrew language, originating from the biblical name מְנַשֶּׁה (Menasheh), which means "to forget" or "he who causes to forget." This etymology is derived from the Hebrew verb נָשָׁה (nashah), which conveys the idea of forgetting. The name appears in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Genesis, where Menashe is the firstborn son of Joseph and Asenath, and is mentioned in the context of Joseph's life in Egypt during the 18th Dynasty, around the 17th century BCE.
The name's significance is further emphasized by the biblical narrative, where Joseph names his son Menashe to signify his ability to forget his troubles and the hardships he faced in Canaan. Historically, Menashe is associated with the Tribe of Manasseh, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, which played a crucial role in the settlement of the Promised Land.
The tribe is often mentioned in various historical texts, including the Book of Joshua, where it is noted that the tribe received a significant portion of land east of the Jordan River. The name has been preserved through centuries of Jewish tradition, particularly in religious texts and prayers, reinforcing its cultural importance within Jewish communities.
Culturally, Menashe carries connotations of resilience and overcoming adversity, reflecting the biblical story of Joseph and his family. The name has been used in various forms and adaptations across different cultures, including the Greek form Menas and the Latin Menas, which further illustrates its historical journey through languages and cultures.
The enduring legacy of Menashe is also evident in its use in various religious contexts, where it symbolizes hope and the ability to move beyond past difficulties.
Famous people named Menashe
In this section, you will find notable people named Menashe. 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 Menashe who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Menashe 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.
Menashe Shulman is a rabbi and author best known for his work in Jewish education and community leadership.
Menashe Kahlon is an Israeli actor best known for his roles in various Israeli television series and films.
Fictional characters named Menashe
The following list of fictional characters named Menashe is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Menashe is a fictional character from the film Menashe. He is a widowed father struggling to maintain custody of his son while adhering to the strictures of his Hasidic community.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Menashe, 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 Menashe. 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 Menashe was first seen in the United States in 1978.
Menashe has ranked as high as #1371 nationally, which occurred in 2014, and has been most popular in New York.
In the past 5 years the name Menashe has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Menashe 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 Menashe was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Menashe (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 12 |
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 Menashe.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 21 |
| 2023 | 22 |
| 2022 | 23 |
| 2021 | 11 |
| 2020 | 12 |
| 2019 | 19 |
| 2018 | 11 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2016 | 12 |
| 2015 | 21 |
| 2014 | 24 |
| 2013 | 18 |
| 2012 | 13 |
| 2011 | 15 |
| 2010 | 15 |
| 2009 | 9 |
| 2008 | 9 |
| 2007 | 11 |
| 2006 | 17 |
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2002 | 8 |
| 2001 | 7 |
| 2000 | 7 |
| 1999 | 7 |
| 1998 | 5 |
| 1997 | 6 |
| 1996 | 9 |
| 1994 | 5 |
| 1992 | 7 |
| 1991 | 5 |
| 1988 | 8 |
| 1987 | 7 |
| 1986 | 7 |
| 1983 | 5 |
| 1979 | 5 |
| 1978 | 7 |