UK boy's name
Manoj
A masculine Sanskrit name meaning "charming" or "handsome".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2008. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Manoj is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Manoj popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2008 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4432, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 4 births.
This profile covers 13 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 1996 to 2008. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 13 living people in the UK are called Manoj. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2009 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Manoj ranked #4432 for boys in England and Wales in 2008, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1996, when 4 boys were registered as Manoj.
- • About 13 living people in the UK are estimated to have Manoj as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4432
2008
Births in 2008
3
Latest year
Peak year
1996
4 births
Estimated living
13
2026
Meaning
What does Manoj mean?
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.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Manoj over time
The chart below shows babies named Manoj registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2008. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Manoj, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2008, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Manoj by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Manoj was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #4432 | 3 | 1 |
| 1990s | #2706 | 10 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Manoj
- Matthew 80,931
- Mohammed 74,321
- Muhammad 72,235
- Max 59,807
- Michael 47,075
- Mason 38,935
- Mohammad 25,910
- Morgan 15,994
- Muhammed 11,527
- Mark 11,336
- Marcus 11,257
- Maxwell 10,006
FAQ
Manoj: questions and answers
How popular is the name Manoj in the UK right now?
In 2008, Manoj was ranked #4432 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Manoj most popular?
The peak year on record was 1996, with 4 babies registered as Manoj in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Manoj?
A masculine Sanskrit name meaning "charming" or "handsome".
How many people are called Manoj in the UK?
A total of 13 babies have been registered as Manoj across the 4 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.