Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Manuela
GirlSpanish, Hebrew· “feminine of Manuel, God is with us”
- Meaning
- feminine of Manuel, God is with us
- Origin
- Spanish, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- mahn-WEH-luh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #2,573
- US babies 2025
- 68
- Best rank
- #486 (1920)
- Peak year
- 1924
Meaning and origin of Manuela
Manuela is a Spanish and Hebrew name that means “feminine of Manuel, God is with us”.
Manuela is the feminine form of Manuel, the Spanish and Portuguese form of Emmanuel, from the Hebrew Immanuel, God is with us. The name appears in the prophecy of Isaiah and was applied to Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew, which made it popular in Christian Europe. Manuela has long been used in Spain, Portugal, Latin America and Italy. Manuela Sáenz, the Ecuadorian revolutionary and companion of Simón Bolívar, is a noted historical bearer. It is said mahn-WEH-luh. Manu and Manuelita are affectionate short forms.
Popularity over time
Manuela 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 70 different years. Its best national rank was #486 in 1920, and the most babies received it in 1924, when 202 were named Manuela. In 2025, 68 babies were named Manuela, and it ranked #2,573 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #486 in 1920, #773 in 1950, #1,478 in 1980, #2,323 in 2000, #2,828 in 2010, and #2,573 in 2025. Of the 11,033 US girls named Manuela since records began, 17% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1930s come next, with 1,139 babies. Since 2010, 1,182 more have been named Manuela.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Magdalene, Filomena, Hellen, Novella, and Blanch.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Manuela ranked highest in Massachusetts, Florida, and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #848 | 6 |
| Florida | #984 | 16 |
| California | #2980 | 6 |
| Texas | #3624 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Manuela is usually pronounced mahn-WEH-luh, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with M and ends in “-la”.
Middle names for Manuela
A few middle names that flow with Manuela: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Manuela
Similar names
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Lists that include Manuela
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Manuela mean?
Manuela is a Spanish and Hebrew name that means “feminine of Manuel, God is with us”.
What is the origin of the name Manuela?
Manuela has Spanish and Hebrew roots. Manuela is the feminine form of Manuel, the Spanish and Portuguese form of Emmanuel, from the Hebrew Immanuel, God is with us.
Is Manuela a popular name?
Not especially. Manuela ranked #2,573 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Manuela a boy or girl name?
Manuela is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Manuela?
Manuela is usually pronounced mahn-WEH-luh. 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