Manaka (written: 真中 or 眞中) is a Japanese surname. Notable people with the surname include:

Edgar Manaka (born 1989), South African soccer player Matsemela Manaka (1956–1998), South African playwright, poet, and artist , Japanese footballer , Japanese baseball player Nomsa Manaka (born 1965), South African dancer, choreographer, and actress , Japanese footballer

Fictional characters: , protagonist of the anime series PriPara

See also Ted Manakas (born 1951), American former professional basketball player