Given name & surname
Mansa
“the third-born child”·“a king”
Mansa is used as a given name and a surname. Interpretations include “the third-born child” (African) and “a king” (African). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Meaning & origin
What it means
Interpretations include “the third-born child” (African) and “a king” (African). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Where it comes from
An origin associated with this spelling is African.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1970. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Mansa through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 322
- 322 boys · 0 girls
- Most popular year
- 2023
- 34 babies
- 2025
- 26
- #4,101 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +3%
- Steady
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 26 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 4,101 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 3.0% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 271 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Mansa’s family of names
Mansa has a related form in Mansah. Mansa has a related form in Mansia.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 2
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Similar names
If you love Mansa, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Eze
“a king”
>99% boys
Negasi
“he will become the king”
>99% boys
Makonnen
“a king”
>99% boys
Negus
“of the royalty; a king; an emperor”
>99% boys
Masud
“a fortunate man”
>99% boys
Azi
“one who is youthful”
>99% boys
Menelik
“the son of a wise man”
>99% boys
Simba
“resembling a lion”
>99% boys