Manoa

♂ Boy

Pronounced muh-NOH-uh /məˈnoʊ.ə/Medium

Meaning: Hebrew Manoah, 'rest, resting place', borne in the book of Judges by the father of Samson. Manoa is also a valley on Oahu in Hawaii and a Fijian place name, and the name of the legendary golden city sought by European explorers as El Dorado.Low

In 30 seconds: A name with several homes: Manoa is Hebrew for 'rest' and the father of Samson, and also a Hawaiian valley (said 'muh-NOH-uh').

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Origin LowHebrew, Hawaiian

MeaningHebrew Manoah, 'rest, resting place', borne in the book of Judges by the father of Samson. Manoa is also a valley on Oahu in Hawaii and a Fijian place name, and the name of the legendary golden city sought by European explorers as El Dorado.

U.S. rank (2022)#11765 ↘ Falling

2022 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2016

Total births (all-time)≈ 30

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Manoa is the Hebrew name Manoah, 'rest' or 'resting place', borne by the father of Samson in the book of Judges. The same spelling names a valley on Oahu, appears in Fijian place names, and belongs to the legendary city of Manoa that European explorers identified with El Dorado. We give these routes honestly; the one a family means will vary (said 'muh-NOH-uh').

It appears only rarely for boys in the U.S. Rare, multi-rooted, and gentle.

Did you know? Manoa is the legendary golden city that European explorers chased through South America under the name El Dorado — and, quite separately, a green valley above Honolulu and a name in the book of Judges (said 'muh-NOH-uh').

Overall data confidence 50%

References — Manoa — Hebrew Manoah 'rest', Judges 13; Manoa valley, Oahu; legendary city of Manoa

Variations

ManoahManoaManolo

Nicknames

ManoNoa

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Manoa…

Noah— a like soft-vowel scriptural pick

Koa— a same Hawaiian-flavoured choice

Malachi— a like Hebrew name

Samson— the son in Manoa's story

Explore names like Manoa

By themehebrew biblical place-name hawaiian

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Manoa mean?

Manoa is the Hebrew name Manoah, 'rest, resting place', borne by the father of Samson. It is also a Hawaiian valley and the name of the legendary city of Manoa.

How do you pronounce Manoa?

It's said muh-NOH-uh /məˈnoʊ.ə/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Manoa a boy or girl name?

Manoa is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Manoa?

Manoa is extremely rare for boys in the U.S.