Manja
Fact sheet
- Name
- Manja
- Gender
- Girl name
- Syllables
- 2
Manja (Маня) is a Slavic diminutive of the biblical name Maria, which is known in Slavic languages as Marija (Мария).
What does the name Manja mean?
The name Manja (Маня) serves as a Slavic short form of Maria and its Slavic variant Marija (Мария). The exact origin and meaning of the name Maria as well as Manja are not clearly defined. One possible interpretation comes from Egyptian and could mean 'the beloved'. Alternatively, there are also meanings in Aramaic and Hebrew such as 'the (gift from God)', 'the well-nourished', 'the sea myrrh', 'the sea drop', 'the rebellious one', or 'the untamed'. Detailed information on the various derivations can be found on the name page of Maria. Manja is not only common in Slavic regions but also in Germany. Particularly in the 1970s and 1980s, the name enjoyed great popularity in the former GDR. A Polish variant is the spelling Mania, while the form Manjana represents a further development. Other Slavic, especially Russian variants of Maria include the names Marija, Mariya, and Marja as well as the diminutives Mariyka, Marusja, and Masha/Mascha.
Where does the name Manja come from?
The name Manja has its roots in Egyptian and Ancient Hebrew and encompasses meanings such as 'the rebellious one' as well as 'the well-nourished' and others.
How do you pronounce Manja?
The pronunciation of Manja is clearly structured and two syllables. In the German language, the name is usually pronounced as 'Man-ja' [ˈmanja], with the emphasis on the first syllable. The open A gives the name a warm note, while the gentle J sound in the middle creates a harmonious connection to the final syllable. Manja radiates a down-to-earth, yet gentle and sympathetic aura.
When is the name day of Manja?
The most important name day for Manja, as a variant of Maria, falls on September 12 (Feast of the Holy Name of Mary).
Popularity
In Germany, Manja is among the popular first names. The name currently ranks 2,723rd on the list of the most common female baby names. Its highest ranking was in 2006 at position 636. In the last ten years, Manja has been used as a first name about 90 times, placing it at 2,629th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 2,304th.
Nicknames & pet names
Mani / Manitschka / Manjana / Manji / Manjok / Manjuscha / Manjutschka / Manna / Manne / Manni / Manusch / Manuschka / Masha
Famous people
- Manja Behrens (actress)
- Manja Benak (Slovenian footballer)
- Manja Doering (actress & voice actress)
- Manja Göring (actress)
- Manja Kendler (singer)
- Manja Kowalski (German rower)
- Manja Kuhl (German actress)
- Manja Pograjc (Russian ski jumper)
- Manja Präkels (German author)
- Manja Rogan (footballer from Slovenia)
- Manja Schaar (actress & screenwriter)
- Manja Tzatschewa (German actress)
Frequently asked questions about the name Manja
What is the origin of the name Manja?
The name Manja has its roots in Egyptian and Ancient Hebrew. It is regarded as a Slavic short form of Maria and includes various meanings, including 'the rebellious one' and 'the well-nourished'.
What does the name Manja mean?
The exact meaning of Manja is not clearly defined, but it is often associated with terms like 'the beloved', 'the (gift from God)', or 'the well-nourished'. Other interpretations include 'the untamed' and 'the sea drop'.
How popular is the name Manja?
Manja enjoyed particular popularity in the 1970s and 1980s in the former GDR. The name is not only common in Slavic regions but also in Germany and has various variants in other languages.