Holding steady.
Popularity of Manus since 1914
Babies named Manus per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1929, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Manus's real moment was 1917.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 20 |
| 1920s | 37 |
| 1930s | 11 |
| 1940s | 21 |
| 1950s | 5 |
| 1960s | 5 |
| 1970s | 12 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 14 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Manus is a rare masculine name with roots in both Irish and Latin traditions. First recorded in U.S. data in 1914, it saw a modest peak in 1917, but has remained extremely uncommon since. Its trajectory is stable, with no resurgence in recent decades. The name is borne by no notable figures in the digest data. For parents seeking an authentic Irish name outside the mainstream, Manus offers a distinctive option. Its possible meanings range from 'great' (via Magnus) to 'hand' (directly from Latin), making it a name with subtle depth.
Manus is likely an anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name Maghnus, itself a variant of Magnus, meaning 'great'. Alternatively, it could be directly from the Latin word 'manus' ('hand'). The name has been used in Ireland since medieval times, though it has never been common. Its popularity peaked in the U.S. in the 1910s, possibly among Irish American families.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Manny
Variants: Magnus
Sibling names for Manus
Names that share Manus's style, for a brother or sister.
