How to say it
em · MAN · u · el
/ɪˈmæn.ju.əl/
Masculine
Emmanuel
God with us
What it means
Hebrew ʿImmanuʾel, 'God with us.' The name given to the promised child in Isaiah 7:14, quoted in Matthew 1:23 as a name for Jesus.
Emmanuel comes from the Hebrew ʿImmanuʾel (ʿimmānū 'with us' + ʾēl 'God'). The name appears in Isaiah 7:14 as a sign-name for the promised child: 'a virgin will conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.' The Gospel of Matthew quotes that verse as applying to Jesus. The English Emmanuel was a Puritan favorite. President Emmanuel Macron of France (2017-) and Emmanuel Lewis (Webster, 1980s sitcom) give the name modern English-language anchors. The shorter Manuel is the Spanish and Portuguese form. Common shorts: Manny, Manu.
Popularity over time
peaked at #144 in 2009, currently #179 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–present. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
Emmanuel with two M's is the French and English standard; Emanuel with one M is more common in Hebrew transliteration. Same pronunciation.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Emmanuel (Bible) Sign-name in Isaiah 7:14 quoted in Matthew 1:23 as a name for Jesus
- Emmanuel Macron President of France since 2017
Spelling variants
- Manuel
- Emanuel
- Imanuel
Names with the same feeling
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