"causing to forget"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Manasseh
Does Manasseh flow with your last name?
A powerful Old Testament name meaning God helped me forget
Hebrew
Christian
Jewish
African
Spiritual
Strong
Traditional
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Meaning & Origin
"forgetting, making forget"
Origin: Biblical Hebrew
Language: English
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The Story of Manasseh
Manasseh comes from the Hebrew root nasah meaning to cause to forget. In Genesis, Joseph names his firstborn son Manasseh, saying God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father's house. This poignant name carries both the pain of exile and the grace of moving forward. In the Old Testament, Manasseh was also the name of a king of Judah with a complex, redemptive story.
Manasseh is rarely used today even in religious communities, but it maintains occasional use in Orthodox Jewish families, Messianic Jewish households, and African Christian communities that favor Old Testament names. In Ghana and Nigeria it appears more frequently.
In the Old Testament, the tribe of Manasseh was one of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. King Manasseh of Judah is remarkable in biblical history for repenting of great wickedness and experiencing genuine restoration. The name carries themes of forgiveness, renewal, and divine grace.
Historical Record
Manasseh first appeared in US Social Security records in 1974.
Over 554 babies have been named Manasseh in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Manasseh is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #3,837 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Manasseh gave his name to one of the twelve tribes of Israel
- King Manasseh of Judah was initially the most wicked king in the Old Testament but later repented — making him one of the Bible's most dramatic redemption stories
- Manasseh's brother Ephraim became the larger tribe; their names are still used as a metonym for the northern kingdom
Manasseh in Other Languages
Greek
Manasses
Arabic
Manassi
Hebrew
Menashe
Spanish
Manases
Popularity Over Time
#3,837
Current Rank
Rare
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Manasseh
M
Manasseh Bushnell
Politician
1770
Early American politician who served as Governor of Ohio from 1808 to 1810
M
Manasseh (biblical)
Politician
Both Joseph's firstborn son in Genesis and a controversial king of Judah in 2 Kings, Manasseh's story spans hardship, si...
Both Joseph's firstborn son in Genesis and a controversial king of Judah in 2 Kings, Manasseh's story spans hardship, sin, and ultimate redemption
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Compare Manasseh with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #3,837
- Total SSA Count
- 29
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew Christian Jewish African
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Common Nicknames
Manny
Nasse
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Distinctive pick, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, Hebrew heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, Jewish heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Manasseh
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Manasseh is also used as a girl name, ranked #50581.
View Manasseh as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Hebrew)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Manasseh
What does the name Manasseh mean?
"causing to forget" (from Hebrew). "forgetting, making forget" (from Biblical Hebrew). Manasseh comes from the Hebrew root nasah meaning to cause to forget. In Genesis, Joseph names his firstborn son Manasseh, saying God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father's house. This poignant name carries both the pain of exile and the grace of moving forward. In the Old Testament, Manasseh was also the name of a king of Judah with a complex, redemptive story.
What is the origin of the name Manasseh?
Manasseh has Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew, Christian, Jewish, and African origins. In Hebrew, it means "causing to forget". In Biblical Hebrew, it means "forgetting, making forget".
Is Manasseh a boy or girl name?
Manasseh is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #3837. As a girl name, it is ranked #50581. Manasseh is more commonly used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Manasseh?
Manasseh is currently ranked #3837 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Manasseh?
Common nicknames for Manasseh include Manny and Nasse.
What are good middle names for Manasseh?
Popular middle name pairings include Manasseh James, Manasseh David, Manasseh Elijah, Manasseh Emmanuel, and Manasseh Isaac.
What are good sibling names for Manasseh?
Names that pair well with Manasseh as siblings include Ephraim, Benjamin, Simeon, Miriam, and Dinah.
How many syllables does Manasseh have?
Manasseh has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Manasseh a common or rare name?
Manasseh is an uncommon name, ranked #3837 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Manasseh
Manasseh is a boy name with Hebrew, Christian, Jewish, and African origins . The name means "causing to forget" in Hebrew .
Is Manasseh a boy or girl name? Manasseh is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #3,837 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #50,581. Manasseh is more commonly used as a boy name.
Manasseh is currently ranked #3,837 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Manasseh has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Manasseh include Manny and Nasse. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis