Immanuel

Meaning & origin

Immanuel, the original Hebrew form of the name meaning 'God is with us,' has maintained a quiet but steady presence in the United States since the early 20th century. First recorded in the Social Security data in 1917, the name spent much of the mid-1900s in relative obscurity before beginning a gradual rise from 1988 onward. Its peak popularity came in 2015, when it reached its highest rank, reflecting a broader revival of biblical and traditional names. Despite the rise, Immanuel remains uncommon: in 2025, it ranked 1204, with a 1-in-10167 incidence, meaning roughly one boy in ten thousand receives the name each year. Geographically, it has found particular favor in states like Virginia, Massachusetts, and Maryland. The name's enduring appeal lies in its deep religious resonance and its distinctive sound, which sets it apart from the more common Emmanuel. Parents choosing Immanuel often seek a name with spiritual weight and a direct link to biblical prophecy, while still offering approachable nicknames like Manny or Eli.

Immanuel is the English form of the Hebrew name עִמָּנוּאֵל (Immanu'el), from the phrase עִמָּנוּ אֵל (immanu el) meaning 'God is with us.' It appears in the Book of Isaiah in the Hebrew Bible as a sign of divine protection, and in the Christian New Testament it is cited as a prophecy of the birth of Jesus. The name has been used among Jewish, Christian, and secular families, though it remains less common than its variant Emmanuel.