For a meaning of the name Zorah, NOBSE Study Bible Name List reads Hornet. The always slightly more inspired Alfred Jones (Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names) proposes Nest Of Hornets, and explains this with "i.e. place of troublesome men". BDB Theological Dictionary does not interpret our name.
http://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Zorah.html
Please read the whole discourse from Abarim. Very interesting people!
For a meaning of the name Manoah, NOBSE Study Bible Name List reads Rest, Quiet and Jones' Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names has Rest "i.e. recreation". BDB Theological Dictionary doesn't interpret our name but does list it under the verb נוח (nuah), meaning to rest.
It seems obvious from the story that Manoah is physically and mentally like a bag of potatoes, and always in the wrong place at the wrong time. In this context his name means Lazy One or Sloth. http://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Manoah.html
Ric Joyner comment: This man had a hard time believing in God and did not want to obey God. He was not Kingdom minded. He did not seem interested in the things of God. His wife was. She could see and hear and obey. The angel came to her, twice but was avoidant of him. Lazy and slothful does not reflect what is going on here. As those in the Exodus did not "know God's ways" (Heb 3) and thus did not enter His rest for Kingdom minded people Manoah was neither Kingdom minded or interested in the things of God. He was interested in the things of this world. Faith is obedience to God. It may be a picture or prophecy of his son Samson. Note that Strong's has this word as a derivitive of Lo which is NO in Hebrew. This man was a no to the things of God.
ZORAHzo'-ra (tsor`ah; Saraa): A city on the border of Dan, between Eshtaol and Ir-shemesh (Joshua 19:41); the birthplace of Samson (Judges 13:2, 25); near here too he was buried (Judges 16:31); from here some Danites went to spy out the land (Judges 18:2, 11). In Joshua 15:33 it is, with Eshtaol, allotted to Judah, and after the captivity it was reinhabited... View Details