manoj

Manoj is a male given name of Indian origin. It is derived from Sanskrit mano- meaning “mind” and ja meaning “born,” yielding the sense “born of the mind” or “mind-born.” The name is widely used in India and Nepal and among the Indian diaspora, across languages such as Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, and Nepali. It is typically a given name and is sometimes used as part of compound names.

Notable people with the name include Manoj Bajpayee (born 1969), an Indian film actor known for roles in Satya and Gangs of Wasseypur; Manoj Kumar (born 1937), an Indian actor and director recognized for patriotic cinema; Manoj Tiwari (born 1967), a singer, actor, and Bharatiya Janata Party politician; Manoj Sinha, an Indian politician who has served as Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir; and Manoj Pahwa, an Indian actor known for character roles in Hindi cinema. Other prominent figures with the name include Manoj Bhargava, an Indian-American entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded 5-hour Energy.

In cultural contexts, Manoj is often chosen for its positive connotations of intellect and creativity, reflecting traditional naming practices that emphasize virtues or aspirations. The name’s simplicity and phonetic clarity have contributed to its enduring popularity across generations and regions.