Declining since 2022, #4,050 for boys today.
Popularity of Mansa since 1970
Babies named Mansa per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 25 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 6 |
| 2010s | 121 |
| 2020s | 170 |
Meaning & origin
Mansa is a name of Mande origin, historically a title for the emperors of the Mali Empire, such as the famed Mansa Musa. It entered U.S. records in 1970 but remained exceedingly rare for decades. Its peak popularity came in 2023, ranking 4050 in 2025, with about 1 in 65695 boys receiving the name. While its trajectory shows a decline since 2022, the name's historical resonance continues to attract attention. As a cultural reference, Mansa evokes West African empire and leadership, making it a distinctive choice.
Mansa derives from the Mande languages of West Africa, where it served as a title for the emperors of the Mali Empire, most famously Mansa Musa. The name is virtually unattested outside that historical context and remains extremely rare in contemporary usage. Its rise in modern times reflects interest in the Mali Empire and figures like Mansa Musa.
“Mansa” around the world
Where Mansa lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Sibling names for Mansa
Names that share Mansa's style, for a brother or sister.
