Manuel
Manuel is a boys' name of Portuguese origin meaning “God is with us.” It ranked #371 in the United States in 2025.
Torn between Manuel and another name? Ask family and friends to vote
how do you pronounce Manuel?
mah-noo-EL
where does the name Manuel come from?
From the Hebrew Immanuel, God with us, from imánu, with us, and él, God.
One of the defining names of Portuguese culture, Manuel was borne by two Portuguese kings, including Manuel I, under whose reign Portugal reached its zenith as a maritime empire. The name is ubiquitous in the Portuguese-speaking world and carries deep spiritual and national significance.
how popular is this name?
Manuel has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 146 years since 1880. It peaked at #104 in 1906, and ranked #371 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #371 |
| 2024 | #351 |
| 2023 | #332 |
| 2022 | #316 |
| 2021 | #321 |
| 2020 | #323 |
| 2019 | #298 |
| 2018 | #289 |
| 2017 | #274 |
| 2016 | #280 |
| 2010 | #210 |
| 2000 | #159 |
| 1990 | #134 |
| 1980 | #144 |
| 1970 | #170 |
| 1960 | #185 |
| 1950 | #158 |
| 1940 | #147 |
| 1930 | #120 |
| 1920 | #118 |
| 1910 | #107 |
| 1906 | #104 |
| 1900 | #131 |
| 1890 | #147 |
| 1880 | #173 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Manuel fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Manuel
The name is said to have travelled from the Byzantine Empire to Western Europe, chiefly Germany, Portugal and Spain, where it has been used since at least the 13th century. It is popular across Spanish, Portuguese, German, French, Romanian, Greek, Polish and Dutch.
who are famous people named Manuel?
- King Manuel I of Portugal (ruler during the Age of Discovery)
- Manuel de Oliveira (Portuguese film director, worked until age 106)
what are the nicknames and variants of Manuel?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Manuel?
what names go well with Manuel?
Sibling names that share Manuel's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Manuel
What does the name Manuel mean?
Manuel means “God is with us”.
What is the origin of the name Manuel?
Manuel comes from the Portuguese naming tradition. Related forms include Manoel, Manolo and Emanuel.
How popular is the name Manuel?
Manuel ranked #371 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1906, at #104, and it has spent 146 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Manuel a boy or girl name?
Manuel is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Manuel?
Manuel is pronounced mah-noo-EL, with 3 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
love Manuel? get 10 more names curated for your family.
Popularity rankings and meanings are just the starting point. Our AI consultant finds names that match your heritage, style, and what matters most to you.
Completely free. No credit card required.
Start your free session