مانی

Mani

boyPersian (pre-Islamic)

Mani is a Muslim boy name meaning “Name of the third-century painter-prophet Mani”.

MeaningName of the third-century painter-prophet Mani
GenderBoy
OriginPersian (pre-Islamic)
Arabic spellingمانی
PronunciationMAH-nee
Muslim name?Used by Muslims

Meaning and origin of Mani

Mani is best known as the name of the third-century Iranian figure who founded Manichaeism and was famed in Persian literature as a master painter. The original meaning of the name is unknown. In modern Iran it is used simply as a short, artistic-sounding boy's name, often with the painter tradition in mind rather than any religious one.

Is Mani a Muslim name?

Mani is a pre-Islamic Persian name with no Arabic root. It is used by some Muslim families in Iran, but because its famous bearer founded another religion, some parents prefer names like Mahdi, Mobin or Milad.

Where is the name Mani used?

Used in modern Iran and among Iranian families abroad.

Gifts with the name Mani

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Spellings and variants of Mani

Maani

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More boy names like Mani

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Mani mean?

Mani means 'Name of the third-century painter-prophet Mani'. It comes from Persian (pre-Islamic).

Is Mani a Muslim name?

Mani is a pre-Islamic Persian name with no Arabic root. It is used by some Muslim families in Iran, but because its famous bearer founded another religion, some parents prefer names like Mahdi, Mobin or Milad.

How do you write Mani in Arabic?

Mani is written مانی in Arabic script.

How do you pronounce Mani?

Mani is pronounced MAH-nee.

Updated October 2026 · Researched by the Modern Muslim Names team. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.