Home › Baby Names Directory › Emanuel

Emanuel

♂ Boy

Pronounced ee-MAN-yoo-el /ɪˈmæn.ju.əl/High

Meaning: God is with us; a variant of Emmanuel from the Hebrew Immanu'el meaning 'God with us,' a messianic name in the Hebrew BibleHigh

In 30 seconds: A majestic Hebrew name meaning 'God is with us,' Emanuel is the single-M spelling of Emmanuel, carrying deep biblical weight across Jewish, Christian, and secular traditions.
💕 Browse more names
Origin HighHebrew
MeaningGod is with us; a variant of Emmanuel from the Hebrew Immanu'el meaning 'God with us,' a messianic name in the Hebrew Bible
U.S. rank (2025)#574 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births513 boys (0.03% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2007
Total births (all-time)≈ 54,735

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200718802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Emanuel is a variant spelling of Emmanuel, from the Hebrew Immanu'el meaning 'God with us' (immanu 'with us' + El 'God'). The name appears in the Book of Isaiah as a messianic title and was applied to Jesus in the New Testament's Gospel of Matthew. It has been used continuously in Christian and Jewish communities throughout history.

Emanuel with one M is particularly common in Scandinavian, Portuguese, and German naming traditions, while Emmanuel (double M) is more frequent in French and English usage. Both spellings rank in U.S. birth records. The name conveys profound spiritual significance while also functioning elegantly as a given name in secular contexts.

Did you know? The prophecy of Immanu'el in Isaiah 7:14 — 'a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel' — is one of the most cited messianic prophecies in both Jewish and Christian scripture.
Overall data confidence 97%
Behind the Name — Emanuel — etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

EmmanuelImmanuelManuelManny

Nicknames

MannyEmaManu

Famous Bearers

  • ★Emmanuel Macron (1977–present)
    French politician serving as President of France since 2017.

If you like Emanuel…

Elijah— shares the same prophetic Hebrew roots and the same grand biblical stature
Isaiah— fellow Hebrew prophetic name of similar length and spiritual depth
Ezekiel— another multi-syllable biblical Hebrew name with the same ancient weight
Nathaniel— shares the same four-syllable Hebrew classic structure and '-el' ending

Frequently Asked

What does Emanuel mean?

Emanuel means 'God is with us,' from the Hebrew Immanu'el, a messianic name appearing in the Book of Isaiah.

How do you pronounce Emanuel?

Emanuel is said ee-MAN-yoo-el — four syllables with stress on the second.

Is Emanuel the same as Emmanuel?

Yes, they are the same name with different spellings; Emanuel (one M) is common in Scandinavian and Portuguese traditions.

Is Emanuel a popular name?

Emanuel ranks in the U.S. top 400 boys' names, with the Emmanuel spelling also widely used.