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Manisha
Pronounced muh-NEE-shuh /mษหniห.สษ/Medium
Meaning: Manisha is a Sanskrit girls' name meaning 'wisdom', 'intellect' or 'desire of the mind', from 'manas', the mind. It is common across India and is borne by the actress Manisha Koirala.Medium
Popularity in the U.S. ยท SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880โpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Manisha comes from Sanskrit, linked to manas, 'the mind', and is understood as 'wisdom', 'intellect' or 'the mind's desire'. It is a widely used feminine name across India, familiar in the West partly through the Indian actress Manisha Koirala.
In the United States it appears from the later twentieth century with the growth of Indian-American families, staying rare in the national numbers - only a few dozen girls a year around its high near 1994. Its thoughtful meaning has kept it a steady heritage choice.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
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Manisha Koirala (b. 1970)acclaimed Indian actress known across Hindi and Nepali cinema
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Manisha mean?
Manisha is a Sanskrit name meaning 'wisdom' or 'intellect'.
How do you pronounce Manisha?
It's said muh-NEE-shuh /mษหniห.สษ/ - three syllables, stress on the second.
Is Manisha a boy or girl name?
Manisha is used as a girl's name.
How popular is Manisha?
Manisha is rare in the U.S. overall, a familiar heritage name in Indian-American families.