Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Emanuel
BoyHebrew· “God is with us”
- Meaning
- God is with us
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- ih-MAN-yoo-ehl
- Syllables
- 4
- US rank 2025
- #574
- US babies 2025
- 513
- Best rank
- #211 (1880)
- Peak year
- 2007
Meaning and origin of Emanuel
Emanuel is a Hebrew name that means “God is with us”.
Emanuel comes from the Hebrew Immanuel, meaning God is with us. The name appears in a prophecy in the Book of Isaiah, and in the Gospel of Matthew it is applied to Jesus. It has been used in Christian and Jewish families for centuries, especially in Spain, Portugal and Italy, where it appears as Manuel and Emanuele. The philosopher Immanuel Kant used another spelling of the same name. Emanuel feels dignified and traditional, and nicknames include Manny and Manu. Emmanuel with a double m is an equally common form.
Other spellings with the same sound: Emmanuel.
Popularity over time
Emanuel has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #211 in 1880, and the most babies received it in 2007, when 1,386 were named Emanuel. In 2025, 513 babies were named Emanuel, and it ranked #574 nationally. That is 48% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #288 in 1920, #446 in 1950, #451 in 1980, #329 in 2000, #281 in 2010, and #574 in 2025. Of the 54,756 US boys named Emanuel since records began, 21% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 9,778 babies. Since 2010, 13,504 more have been named Emanuel.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Fabian, Caiden, Aden, Angelo, and Jonas.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Emanuel ranked highest in Massachusetts, California, and Connecticut.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #313 | 18 |
| California | #354 | 99 |
| Connecticut | #404 | 7 |
| New Jersey | #419 | 19 |
| Nevada | #464 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Emanuel is usually pronounced ih-MAN-yoo-ehl, with four syllables. It has seven letters, starts with E and ends in “-el”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Emmanuel.
Middle names for Emanuel
A few middle names that flow with Emanuel: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Emanuel
Similar names
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Lists that include Emanuel
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Emanuel mean?
Emanuel is a Hebrew name that means “God is with us”.
What is the origin of the name Emanuel?
Emanuel has Hebrew roots. Emanuel comes from the Hebrew Immanuel, meaning God is with us.
Is Emanuel a popular name?
Yes. Emanuel ranked #574 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Emanuel a boy or girl name?
Emanuel is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Emanuel?
Emanuel is usually pronounced ih-MAN-yoo-ehl. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings