Declining since 2008, #574 for boys today.
Popularity of Emanuel since 1880
Babies named Emanuel per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 419 |
| 1890s | 453 |
| 1900s | 564 |
| 1910s | 2,625 |
| 1920s | 3,210 |
| 1930s | 2,017 |
| 1940s | 1,931 |
| 1950s | 2,386 |
| 1960s | 2,153 |
| 1970s | 2,391 |
| 1980s | 4,869 |
| 1990s | 6,693 |
| 2000s | 11,541 |
| 2010s | 9,778 |
| 2020s | 3,726 |
Meaning & origin
Emanuel, a name of Hebrew origin meaning 'God is with us,' has been in steady use in the United States since official records began in 1880. In the most recent data (2025), it ranked 574th overall, with a frequency of 1 in 3,330 births, reflecting its position as a moderately common but not ubiquitous choice. The name reached its highest popularity in 2011, and its trajectory has been declining since 2008, a trend continuing into the 2010s and beyond. Geographically, Emanuel has been most popular in states with significant religious and Portuguese-influenced communities, ranking highest in Massachusetts, California, and Nevada. Despite the decline, it remains a recognizable and enduring classic, favored for its devout meaning and cross-cultural appeal.
Emanuel is the Latin and English form of the Hebrew name Immanuel, from the phrase 'immanu El' meaning 'God is with us.' It appears in the Book of Isaiah (7:14) and in the Gospel of Matthew as a prophetic name for the Messiah. The name has been used in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim contexts, and was particularly popular among Puritans in the 17th century and later among European royalty, such as King Emanuel I of Portugal.
Where Emanuel is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Emanuel” around the world
Where Emanuel lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
25
babies in 2024
Ireland
5
babies in 2025
Quebec
5
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Manny, Manu, Emmy
Sibling names for Emanuel
Names that share Emanuel's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Emanuel
Names whose popularity has moved with Emanuel's over the last 50 years.
