Declining since 1993, #371 for boys today.
Popularity of Manuel since 1880
Babies named Manuel per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2005, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Manuel's real moment was 1906.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 802 |
| 1890s | 952 |
| 1900s | 1,751 |
| 1910s | 8,370 |
| 1920s | 15,664 |
| 1930s | 12,330 |
| 1940s | 14,186 |
| 1950s | 16,376 |
| 1960s | 16,036 |
| 1970s | 17,697 |
| 1980s | 19,985 |
| 1990s | 24,176 |
| 2000s | 23,444 |
| 2010s | 13,869 |
| 2020s | 5,946 |
Meaning & origin
Manuel is a classic Spanish and Portuguese name with deep biblical roots. It has been in consistent use in the United States since at least 1880, though its popularity has followed a downward trend since peaking in 1906 at rank 371 among all births. In 2025, the name appeared with a frequency of 1 in every 1,986 male births, reflecting its gradual decline. Despite this, Manuel remains strongly associated with Hispanic heritage, with top states including Arizona, Nebraska, and New Mexico. The name's trajectory shows it has been falling since 1993, yet it retains a familiar and enduring appeal within Spanish-speaking communities and beyond.
Manuel is a Spanish and Portuguese form of the Hebrew name Immanuel, from 'Immanu'el' meaning 'God is with us'. The name appears in the Bible as a messianic title in the Book of Isaiah. It became common in Iberia during the Middle Ages, especially among royalty, and spread to the Americas through colonization. In Spanish-speaking communities, Manuel has remained a classic male name for centuries.
Where Manuel 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.
“Manuel” around the world
Where Manuel lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
30
babies in 2024
Ireland
5
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Manu, Manolo, Manny, Nel
Variants: Manoel, Manuele, Emanuel
Sibling names for Manuel
Names that share Manuel's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Maria, Sofia, Carmen, Ana, Isabel, Anita, Delores, Deloris, Dolores, Guadalupe, Juanita, Luz, Susana, Yolanda, Angelita, Araceli, Benita, Carmelita, Concepcion, Consuelo, Doloris, Graciela, Hortencia, Jaunita, Josefina, Milagros, Monserrat, Pilar, Rocio, Rosario, Socorro, Adelita, Amparo, Angeles, Azucena, Candelaria, Carmina, Clarita, Concha, Conchita, Consuela, Criselda, Damita, Dominga, Janita, Jesusa, Jesusita, Josefa, Jovita, Junita, Lorita, Lourdes, Marilu, Migdalia, Natividad, Refugia, Sanjuana, Sanjuanita, Santa, Sarita, Sulema, Teresita, Tomasa, Vanita, Zoila, Asucena, Buena, Carmencita, Chaquita, Charlita, Cherita, Clemencia, Conception, Conchetta, Consuella, Deloras, Digna, Dulcemaria, Esperansa, Estefana, Esthela, Florita, Isidra, Joaquina, Laurita, Loida, Lurdes, Luzmaria, Marguita, Mariadelcarmen, Mariaguadalupe, Maricarmen, Mariluz, Marisel, Paulita, Prisilla, Ramonita, Tere, Tomasita, Tonita, Vicenta, Virgen, Adamariz, Agapita, Agueda, Altagracia, Asuncion, Barba, Blasa, Carmita, Charo, Consepcion, Corazon, Cruzita, Josefita, Juanetta, Marizol, Marycarmen, Moncerrat, Nieves, Perlita, Piedad, Ynez, Lazara, Monserratt, Pura, Chiquitta, Chonita, Cleotilde, Delorese, Doloras, Ercilia, Fe, Felicidad, Inocencia, Juanna, Karlita, Librada, Mariadel, Mariadelaluz, Mariadelosang, Marianita, Marieliz, Martita, Montserrath, Obdulia, Paquita, Pascuala, Providencia, Remedios, Sagrario, Soyla
Brothers: Jose, Antonio, Francisco, David, Rafael, Carlos, Luis, Ramon, Efren, Ernesto, Guillermo, Homero, Isidro, Raymundo, Reinaldo, Trinidad, Wilfredo, Braulio, Cosme, Dionicio, Fermin, Florencio, Hipolito, Jacinto, Justo, Margarito, Pascual, Paulino, Refugio, Sixto, Ysidro, Angelito, Ascencion, Asencion, Cresencio, Doroteo, Encarnacion, Januel, Jenaro, Joaquim, Jorje, Joselito, Juanluis, Magdaleno, Meliton, Merced, Olegario, Sanchez, Sotero, Adelaido, Benancio, Bienvenido, Elijio, Josemaria, Luisfernando, Natalio, Paco, Pancho, Raimundo, Refujio, Salbador, Trino, Yanuel, Ygnacio, Alcario, Antolin, Canuto, Esiquio, Franciscojavier, Hernandez, Josealberto, Josecarlos, Pepe, Ponce, Ranulfo, Sanjuan, Segundo, Sostenes, Ysmael
Names like Manuel
Names whose popularity has moved with Manuel's over the last 50 years.
