Mandela
Pronunciation: [ m-and-EHL-uh ]
Does Mandela flow with your last name?
A distinctive boy name with a rare, memorable quality.
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
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Browse nicknames →Historical Record
Mandela first appeared in US Social Security records in 1984.
Over 172 babies have been named Mandela in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Mandela is past its peak , currently ranked #40,665 for boy names in the US .
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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"stream, rivulet, small river"
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Popularity Rank
- #40,665
- Total SSA Count
- 5
Nicknames
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Sibling Match
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View all →Arabic origin
"Indian sword"
#40,739 in US
Greek via Spanish origin
"angel, divine messenger"
#40,475 in US
American English origin
"creative American variant"
#40,591 in US
Greek origin
"devoted to Demeter, goddess of harvest"
#40,497 in US
Arabic origin
"stream, rivulet, small river"
#40,514 in US
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Frequently Asked Questions About Mandela
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About the Name Mandela
Mandela is a boy name .
Mandela is currently ranked #40,665 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
Common nicknames for Mandela include Man, Mand, Mandy, Mandie, Ela, Elay, Elaie, May, Maie, and Mankins. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Recommended for Parents
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Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis