Manuela Girl

Popularity: #880 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: mah-NWEH-lah /mænˈwɛlə/

Origin: Spanish; Portuguese; Italian

Meaning: Hebrew: God is with us; Latin: strong

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Manuela has its roots in the Hebrew name Immanuel, which translates to "God is with us." This name was adopted into Greek as Emmanuel and subsequently into Latin, where it became more widely recognized. The name made its way into the Spanish and Portuguese languages, where it evolved into Manuela, a feminine form that has been used since the Middle Ages.

The transition from Immanuel to Manuela reflects a broader linguistic evolution, as names were adapted to fit the phonetic and cultural contexts of different languages. Historically, the name Manuela has been associated with various significant figures and events.

One notable instance is the use of Emmanuel in the Christian tradition, particularly in reference to the prophecy of the Messiah found in the Book of Isaiah, which was translated into Latin in the Vulgate around the late 4th century. This biblical connection has imbued the name with religious significance, particularly in Christian communities.

The feminine form, Manuela, gained traction in the Spanish-speaking world, especially during the Renaissance, when biblical names were popularized. Culturally, Manuela carries connotations of strength and divine presence, resonating with the themes of faith and protection inherent in its etymological roots.

The name has been embraced in various artistic and literary contexts, often symbolizing resilience and grace. In addition, diminutive forms such as Manu or Manuella have emerged, reflecting affection and familiarity in familial and social settings.

The enduring nature of the name Manuela can be attributed to its rich historical background and the deep cultural associations that continue to resonate through generations.

Famous people named Manuela

In this section, you will find notable people named Manuela. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Manuela who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Manuela who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Manuela Valls is a professional tennis player best known for competing in various international tournaments.

Manuela Arcuri is an actress and model best known for her roles in Italian television series and films.

Fictional characters named Manuela

The following list of fictional characters named Manuela is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Manuela is a fictional character from the video game series Ace Attorney. She is a skilled prosecutor known for her fierce determination and complex personality.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Manuela, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

EmiliaIsabellaSofiaGabrielaLuciaClara

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Manuela. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

MirellaMarinaMireyaMarisolManonMaraMinaMaya

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Manuela was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Manuela has ranked as high as #905 nationally, which occurred in 1924, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Florida, New Mexico, and Arizona.

In the past 5 years the name Manuela has been trending about the same compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Manuela is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Manuela was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Manuela.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 68 0 68
2024 92 0 92
2023 72 0 72
2022 84 0 84
2021 76 0 76
2020 93 0 93
2019 69 0 69
2018 86 0 86
2017 77 0 77
2016 67 0 67
2015 63 0 63
2014 81 0 81
2013 57 0 57
2012 62 0 62
2011 73 0 73
2010 62 0 62
2009 61 0 61
2008 76 0 76
2007 69 0 69
2006 80 0 80
2005 64 0 64
2004 80 0 80
2003 77 0 77
2002 84 0 84
2001 83 0 83
2000 67 0 67
1999 56 0 56
1998 66 0 66
1997 87 0 87
1996 64 0 64
1995 58 0 58
1994 63 0 63
1993 69 0 69
1992 96 0 96
1991 72 0 72
1990 50 0 50
1989 40 0 40
1988 45 0 45
1987 55 0 55
1986 53 0 53
1985 64 0 64
1984 75 0 75
1983 52 0 52
1982 62 0 62
1981 68 0 68
1980 82 0 82
1979 65 0 65
1978 69 0 69
1977 72 0 72
1976 79 0 79
1975 72 0 72
1974 66 0 66
1973 62 0 62
1972 53 0 53
1971 62 0 62
1970 55 0 55
1969 68 0 68
1968 73 0 73
1967 71 0 71
1966 39 0 39
1965 55 0 55
1964 59 0 59
1963 63 0 63
1962 77 0 77
1961 62 0 62
1960 71 0 71
1959 66 0 66
1958 79 0 79
1957 89 0 89
1956 73 0 73
1955 57 0 57
1954 74 0 74
1953 105 0 105
1952 76 0 76
1951 69 0 69
1950 125 0 125
1949 110 0 110
1948 145 0 145
1947 124 0 124
1946 118 0 118
1945 111 0 111
1944 107 0 107
1943 100 0 100
1942 92 0 92
1941 94 0 94
1940 86 0 86
1939 94 0 94
1938 92 0 92
1937 102 0 102
1936 104 0 104
1935 100 0 100
1934 103 0 103
1933 132 0 132
1932 125 5 120
1931 143 7 136
1930 162 6 156
1929 173 0 173
1928 198 6 192
1927 196 5 191
1926 196 6 190
1925 197 0 197
1924 202 0 202
1923 169 0 169
1922 184 0 184
1921 197 0 197
1920 200 0 200
1919 158 0 158
1918 151 0 151
1917 104 0 104
1916 122 0 122
1915 111 0 111
1914 89 0 89
1913 76 0 76
1912 71 0 71
1911 56 0 56
1910 61 0 61
1909 58 0 58
1908 38 0 38
1907 43 0 43
1906 43 0 43
1905 37 0 37
1904 32 0 32
1903 29 0 29
1902 24 0 24
1901 23 0 23
1900 41 0 41
1899 25 0 25
1898 21 0 21
1897 16 0 16
1896 18 0 18
1895 20 0 20
1894 14 0 14
1893 15 0 15
1892 15 0 15
1891 6 0 6
1890 13 0 13
1889 8 0 8
1888 6 0 6
1887 8 0 8
1886 7 0 7
1885 9 0 9
1884 10 0 10
1883 8 0 8
1882 8 0 8
1881 7 0 7
1880 5 0 5

Top States for Manuela (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
FL 17
36%
CA 11
23%
TX 8
17%
MA 6
13%
NY 5
11%