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Manuel

♂ Boy

Pronounced man-WEL /mæˈnwɛl/High

Meaning: Spanish and Portuguese short form of Emmanuel, from Hebrew Immanuel, composed of 'im' (with) and 'manu' (us) and 'El' (God) — meaning 'God is with us'.High

In 30 seconds: Manuel is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Emmanuel, meaning 'God is with us' — the messianic name prophesied in Isaiah. Classic, warm, and widely beloved across the Latin world.
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Origin HighHebrew, Spanish, Portuguese
MeaningSpanish and Portuguese short form of Emmanuel, from Hebrew Immanuel, composed of 'im' (with) and 'manu' (us) and 'El' (God) — meaning 'God is with us'.
U.S. rank (2025)#371 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births860 boys (0.05% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2005
Total births (all-time)≈ 191,572

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200518802025

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

History & Origin

Manuel is the Spanish and Portuguese contraction of Emmanuel, from Hebrew Immanuel, composed of im (with), manu (us), and El (God), meaning 'God is with us'. The name appears in Isaiah 7:14 and is applied to Jesus in Matthew 1:23. It became one of the most revered names in Catholic Christianity and spread throughout the Iberian Peninsula.

Manuel has been among the most popular names in Spain and Portugal for centuries, consistently ranking in the top 5. It is equally popular across Latin America. In the United States, Manuel ranks in the top 100–150 boys' names, concentrated in Hispanic communities. The name carries deep religious significance while also having a warm, everyday quality — it is the name of kings, poets, and ordinary men with equal ease.

Did you know? The prophecy in Isaiah 7:14 — 'a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel' — is one of the most quoted passages in Christian theology. Manuel, as a form of Immanuel, thus carries the weight of one of the most theologically significant names in all of scripture.
Overall data confidence 95%
Strong's Hebrew Concordance — Etymology of Hebrew ImmanuelSocial Security Administration Name Data — US popularity trends for Manuel

Variations

EmmanuelEmanuelManny

Nicknames

MannyManu

Famous Bearers

  • ★Manuel I of Portugal (1469–1521)
    King of Portugal during the age of exploration, patron of Vasco da Gama's voyage to India.

If you like Manuel…

Miguel— two-syllable Spanish form of Michael with the same deep Catholic heritage and Latin American stature
Rafael— three-syllable Spanish biblical name with the same widespread Latin American and European popularity
Antonio— four-syllable Spanish saint name sharing Manuel's warmth and Catholic cultural depth

Frequently Asked

What does the name Manuel mean?

Manuel means 'God is with us', as the Spanish-Portuguese contraction of Emmanuel from Hebrew Immanuel (im = with, manu = us, El = God).

How do you pronounce Manuel?

Manuel is pronounced man-WEL (/mæˈnwɛl/) in Spanish, two syllables with stress on the second.

Is Manuel a boy or girl name?

Manuel is a masculine name. Manuela is the feminine form.

How popular is Manuel?

Manuel ranks in the US top 100–150 boys' names and is a top-5 name in Spain and many Latin American countries.