Manoj first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Manoj has been for the last 34 years (from 1975 to 2008) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Manoj

A masculine Sanskrit name meaning "charming" or "handsome".

Popularity of Manoj by gender

Based on the last 34 years of data, Manoj is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2008, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Manoj.

YearMale CountFemale Count
200850
200360
200290
200180
200060
199760
199470
199360
198960
198880
198750
198670
198450
1983110
198290
1981100
1980120
1979140
197860
1977130
197680
197590

The history of the first name Manoj

The name Manoj originates from Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-Aryan language that dates back thousands of years and was the root of many modern Indian languages. It is derived from the Sanskrit words "manas" meaning mind or heart, and "ja" meaning born or arisen, suggesting the name's meaning is something like "born of the mind" or "born from the heart."

The name has a rich history in Hindu culture and mythology. One of the earliest references to the name can be found in the Mahabharata, a Sanskrit epic poem composed around the 8th to 9th century BCE. In this text, Manoj is mentioned as the name of a prince from the kingdom of Virata.

During the medieval period, the name Manoj gained prominence in various parts of the Indian subcontinent, particularly in regions like Bengal, Odisha, and parts of southern India. Several notable figures bore this name, including Manoj Mitra, a Bengali poet and writer from the 11th century CE who is renowned for his works in the Sanskrit language.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in the Kannada literature of the Vijayanagara Empire, with Manoj Sundara, a celebrated poet and scholar of the time. His poetic compositions in the Kannada language are still studied and admired today.

Moving forward, one of the most famous bearers of the name Manoj was Manoj Das, an eminent Indian writer and novelist born in 1934 in Odisha. His literary works, written in both Odia and English, explored themes of spirituality, human relationships, and the complexities of modern life. Das was widely acclaimed for his contributions to Indian literature and received numerous honors, including the Sahitya Akademi Award and the Padma Shri.

Another notable individual with the name Manoj was Manoj Kumar, a celebrated Indian actor, director, and producer born in 1937. Known for his patriotic films and performances, he played a significant role in shaping the narrative of Indian cinema during the 1960s and 1970s. Kumar received several accolades, including the Padma Shri and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest honor in cinema.

While the name Manoj has its roots in ancient Sanskrit and Hindu culture, it has transcended boundaries and gained popularity across various regions and communities in India and beyond.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Manoj was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Manoj, please contact us.

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