"God is with us"
Immanuel
Pronunciation: [ IHM-uhn-ool ]
The prophetic Hebrew name meaning 'God is with us'
Meaning & Origin
"divine presence"
The Story of Immanuel
Immanuel is the Hebrew spelling of Emmanuel, composed of 'immanu' (with us) and 'El' (God), meaning 'God is with us.' The name appears in the Hebrew Bible in Isaiah 7:14 as a prophetic sign — 'Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.' This verse is central to Christian theology, interpreted as a prophecy of Jesus's birth, making Immanuel one of the most theologically significant names in Western civilization. The German philosopher Immanuel Kant bore this spelling.
Immanuel has been in steady use across Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities for millennia. In Ethiopia, it remains one of the most popular names due to the country's ancient Christian tradition. In the US, it is less common than Emmanuel but carries the same spiritual weight with a more distinctive spelling.
The Hebrew spelling Immanuel is used in Jewish and many Christian theological contexts, while Emmanuel is the Greek/Latin transliteration. Ethiopia's ancient Orthodox Christian church has used Immanuel as a major name for over 1,700 years. The name carries the theology that God is present and accessible.
Fun Facts
- Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) is widely considered one of the most influential philosophers in Western history
- The name Immanuel/Emmanuel appears in the scriptures of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
Immanuel in Other Languages
Famous People Named Immanuel
Immanuel Quickley
Athlete
2000
American NBA guard who plays for the Indiana Pacers, known as one of the NBA's most exciting young players
Immanuel Kant
Scientist
1724
German philosopher whose Critique of Pure Reason transformed Western thought; considered one of history's greatest think...
German philosopher whose Critique of Pure Reason transformed Western thought; considered one of history's greatest thinkers
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #1,210
- Total SSA Count
- 167
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew Christian Ethiopian German American
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Immanuel
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About the Name Immanuel
Immanuel is a boy name with Hebrew, Christian, Ethiopian, German, and American origins . The name means "God is with us" in Hebrew .
Immanuel is currently ranked #1,210 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Immanuel has 4 syllables and is pronounced IHM-uhn-ool, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Immanuel include Manny, Imani, Manu, and Em. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.