Monae Girl

Popularity: #928 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: mo-NAY /moʊˈneɪ/

Origin: French; African American

Meaning: French: 'noble'; African American: 'gift from God'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Monae is believed to have roots in the French name Monique, which itself derives from the Latin name Monica. The Latin Monica is thought to originate from the North African Berber word "muniqa," meaning "advisor" or "counselor." This etymological journey reflects a transition from Berber to Latin, and subsequently into French, before being adapted into English.

The name Monica gained prominence in the early Christian era, particularly due to Saint Monica, the mother of Saint Augustine, who lived in the 4th century. Her life and piety were celebrated in various hagiographies, contributing to the name's enduring presence in Christian contexts.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the name Monica was further popularized by its association with various saints and religious figures, particularly in Europe. The name was often used in monastic communities and among the nobility, reflecting its elevated status.

The introduction of the name into English can be traced back to the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, where it was adopted into the English-speaking world through the influence of French culture and language. In terms of cultural resonance, the name Monae, as a modern variant, carries connotations of elegance and sophistication, often associated with artistic and creative expressions.

The name's phonetic structure, with its melodic quality, has made it appealing in contemporary naming practices. Additionally, diminutive forms such as Moni or Nia may emerge in familial or affectionate contexts, reflecting a trend in many cultures to create endearing variations of given names.

Overall, the name Monae, while modern in its specific form, is deeply rooted in a rich historical and linguistic tradition that spans centuries.

Famous people named Monae

In this section, you will find notable people named Monae. 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 Monae who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Monae 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.

Monae Davis is a professional basketball player best known for her time with the Atlanta Dream.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Monae, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

MoniqueMayaMaliaMiraMina

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Monae. 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.

MonetMinaMonaMinaeMireilleMoira

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Monae was first seen in the United States in 1961.

Monae has ranked as high as #2579 nationally, which occurred in 1998, and has been most popular in California, New York, Maryland, Michigan, and Illinois.

In the past 5 years the name Monae has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Monae 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 Monae 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 Monae.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 20 20
2024 29 29
2023 40 40
2022 26 26
2021 51 51
2020 34 34
2019 47 47
2018 32 32
2017 43 43
2016 53 53
2015 53 53
2014 37 37
2013 52 52
2012 40 40
2011 45 45
2010 52 52
2009 41 41
2008 37 37
2007 46 46
2006 50 50
2005 45 45
2004 72 72
2003 83 83
2002 69 69
2001 62 62
2000 86 86
1999 92 92
1998 113 113
1997 92 92
1996 111 111
1995 56 56
1994 51 51
1993 81 81
1992 63 63
1991 61 61
1990 56 56
1989 28 28
1988 38 38
1987 34 34
1986 21 21
1985 12 12
1984 16 16
1983 18 18
1982 12 12
1981 7 7
1980 9 9
1979 7 7
1978 8 8
1977 6 6
1976 11 11
1975 7 7
1974 5 5
1973 5 5
1971 7 7
1970 8 8
1968 6 6
1961 5 5

Top States for Monae (2021)

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
GA 5
25%
TX 5
25%
CA 5
25%
FL 5
25%