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Home › Baby Names Directory › Manaia

Manaia

♀ Girl

Pronounced mah-NY-ah /mɑˈnaɪ.ɑ/Medium

Meaning: From the Maori manaia — a mythical guardian creature (with a bird's head, human body, and fish tail), a spiritual guardian/messenger; used for both sexes; we note the sacred symbolLow

In 30 seconds: A mythical guardian creature: Manaia is Maori. Lyrical, modern, and warm (said 'mah-NY-ah').
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Origin LowMaori
MeaningFrom the Maori manaia — a mythical guardian creature (with a bird's head, human body, and fish tail), a spiritual guardian/messenger; used for both sexes; we note the sacred symbol
U.S. rank (2025)#7369 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births15 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2015
Total births (all-time)≈ 289

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201520002025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Manaia comes from the Maori manaia — a mythical guardian creature (with a bird's head, human body, and fish tail), a spiritual guardian/messenger; used for both sexes (we note the sacred symbol). A lyrical, modern name (said 'mah-NY-ah').

In the U.S. it appears in Maori/Polynesian families. Rare, a-guardian-creature at the root, and lyrical.

Did you know? Manaia is a Maori mythical guardian creature (a bird's head, human body, and fish tail), a spiritual guardian/messenger — a lyrical name (we note the sacred symbol; said 'mah-NY-ah').
Overall data confidence 38%
References — Manaia — Maori sacred symbol

Variations

ManayaManaiah

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Manaia…

Mana— a kin Ma- Polynesian girls' name
Nalani— a fellow Polynesian girls' name
Kaia— a sound-neighbor -aia girls' name
Maia— a companion -aia girls' name

Explore names like Manaia

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Manaia mean?

Manaia is Maori for a mythical guardian creature (a spiritual guardian/messenger). We note the sacred symbol.

How do you pronounce Manaia?

It's said mah-NY-ah /mɑˈnaɪ.ɑ/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Manaia a boy or girl name?

Manaia is used for both sexes; here it is a girl's name.

How popular is Manaia?

Manaia is a very rare name in the U.S.

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