"God is with us"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Spanish
Manuela
Pronunciation: [ m-anw-AYL-uh ]
Does Manuela flow with your last name?
A timeless Iberian classic meaning God is with us
Spanish
Portuguese
Italian
Latin American
Catholic
Classic
Elegant
Traditional
Sophisticated
Spiritual
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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The Story of Manuela
Manuela is the Spanish and Portuguese feminine form of Manuel, which derives from the Hebrew name Immanuel (written in the New Testament as Emmanuel) meaning God is with us. Immanuel is a prophetic name from the Book of Isaiah and was applied to Jesus Christ in Christian tradition. The name has been beloved in Catholic countries for centuries.
Manuela has been a consistently popular name throughout Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula. In Argentina and Spain, it has ranked in the top 50 names for generations. It is experiencing a fresh wave of interest in the US as Spanish-heritage names grow in appeal.
Manuela Saenz, the Colombian revolutionary and companion of Simon Bolivar, is one of the most celebrated historical figures bearing this name. She was known as the Liberatrix of the Liberator and is a national hero in several South American countries.
Historical Record
Manuela first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 5,234 babies have been named Manuela in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Manuela is past its peak , currently ranked #2,112 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Manuela Saenz was a Colombian revolutionary leader and companion of Simon Bolivar, celebrated as a national hero in Ecuador and Colombia
- The name Immanuel appears in the Book of Isaiah as a prophetic name and was later applied to Jesus Christ in Christian theology
Manuela in Other Languages
French
Emmanuelle
German
Manuela
Italian
Emanuela
Spanish
Manuela
Portuguese
Manuela
Popularity Over Time
#2,112
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Manuela
M
Manuela Arcuri
Actor
1977
Italian actress and model widely popular in Italian television and cinema
M
Manuela Saenz
Military
1797
Colombian-Ecuadorian revolutionary, companion of Simon Bolivar, and independence fighter known as the Liberatrix of the ...
Colombian-Ecuadorian revolutionary, companion of Simon Bolivar, and independence fighter known as the Liberatrix of the Liberator
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Compare Manuela with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #2,112
- Total SSA Count
- 90
- Cultural Origins
- Spanish Portuguese Italian Latin American Catholic
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Manu
Manue
Ela
Nellie
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, Latin American heritage match, balanced 3-2 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
-
Classic pairing, Italian heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, Spanish heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Manuela
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Manuela is also used as a boy name, ranked #31545.
View Manuela as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Manuela
What does the name Manuela mean?
"God is with us" (from Hebrew). Manuela is the Spanish and Portuguese feminine form of Manuel, which derives from the Hebrew name Immanuel (written in the New Testament as Emmanuel) meaning God is with us. Immanuel is a prophetic name from the Book of Isaiah and was applied to Jesus Christ in Christian tradition. The name has been beloved in Catholic countries for centuries.
What is the origin of the name Manuela?
Manuela has Hebrew, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Latin American, and Catholic origins. In Hebrew, it means "God is with us".
Is Manuela a boy or girl name?
Manuela is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2112. As a boy name, it is ranked #31545. Manuela is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Manuela?
Manuela is pronounced m-anw-AYL-uh.
How popular is the name Manuela?
Manuela is currently ranked #2112 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Manuela?
Common nicknames for Manuela include Manu, Manue, Ela, and Nellie.
What are good middle names for Manuela?
Popular middle name pairings include Manuela Isabel, Manuela Sofia, Manuela Carmen, Manuela Lucia, Manuela Valentina, Manuela Belen, and Manuela Gracia.
What are good sibling names for Manuela?
Names that pair well with Manuela as siblings include Rafael, Miguel, Catalina, Valentina, Sebastian, and Isabella.
How many syllables does Manuela have?
Manuela has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Manuela a common or rare name?
Manuela is an uncommon name, ranked #2112 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Manuela
Manuela is a girl name with Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Latin American, and Catholic origins . The name means "God is with us" in Hebrew .
Is Manuela a boy or girl name? Manuela is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,112 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #31,545. Manuela is more commonly used as a girl name.
Manuela is currently ranked #2,112 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Manuela has 4 syllables and is pronounced m-anw-AYL-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Manuela include Manu, Manue, Ela, and Nellie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis