Manasa

Manasa is a name with a dual etymological path. Its primary origin, as used in Fijian, is a direct adaptation of the biblical Hebrew name Manasseh. Manasseh was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, named after the elder son of Joseph and Asenath. Joseph named him Manasseh, saying, 'God has made me forget all my toil and all my father's house.' This biblical connection gives the name a deep historical and religious resonance.

Separately, in Indian cultures, Manasa is a distinct name of Sanskrit origin, referring to the Hindu goddess of snakes. This highlights how the same phonetic sequence can arise independently in different linguistic and cultural contexts, carrying entirely different meanings and histories. The Fijian usage, however, specifically traces back to the Hebrew root.