Manuel

ClassicWarmTraditionalStrongCultural

Manuel is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Emmanuel, derived from Hebrew meaning 'God is with us.' It has been a beloved name in Spanish and Portuguese-speaking cultures for centuries, carrying both religious significance and a warm, approachable quality.

Current Popularity

#371 for boys

in the United States (2025)

Projected 2026: #394, likely #317 to #471

↗Declining

Popularity over time

188019502020
Recent years · births per year

Dashed bar: 2026 (projected): 819. How this is calculated

Yearly values
  • 2011: 1,559
  • 2012: 1,464
  • 2013: 1,472
  • 2014: 1,382
  • 2015: 1,297
  • 2016: 1,301
  • 2017: 1,327
  • 2018: 1,219
  • 2019: 1,147
  • 2020: 1,018
  • 2021: 1,036
  • 2022: 1,065
  • 2023: 1,009
  • 2024: 958
  • 2025: 860
  • 2026 (projected): 819

Good to Know

Common nicknames: Manny, Manolo, Manu, Lolo, Nolo
  • •Easy to pronounce in multiple languages
  • •Well-established in Hispanic communities worldwide
  • •Strong nickname options from formal to casual
  • •Pronunciation may vary: mah-NWEL in Spanish, MAN-yoo-el in English

Famous People

M

Manuel Miranda

Lin-Manuel Miranda, playwright and composer

M

Manuel Neuer

German professional footballer

M

Manuel Noriega

Former Panamanian political leader

M

Manuel Puig

Argentine novelist

Statistics

191,584

Total births since 1880

2005

Peak year

Discovery

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