WeeNames Scotland’s favourite name finder

← All names

Manuel

Boy name · 12 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Manuel: 12 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 5 births in 2022.

The name Manuel is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Emmanuel, derived from the Hebrew 'Immanuel' meaning 'God is with us,' a name steeped in biblical significance. Famous bearers include the Panamanian military leader Manuel Noriega, the celebrated Spanish composer Manuel de Falla, and the legendary German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. While few places take their name directly from Manuel, the root 'Emmanuel' appears in towns and churches worldwide, and the name itself is deeply common across Latin America and southern Europe. In Scotland, Manuel remains an uncommon but well-recognised choice, often seen as a variant of the more classic Emmanuel, giving it a quiet, international charm that parents may find both distinctive and meaningful.

Boy 3 of 52 years

Peak year
20225 babies
Latest (2024)
#6194 babies
Total births
12since 2019
5-year trend
≈ stablevs prior 5y
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2022 · 5
Births per year in Scotland. Missing years had a count of 2 or fewer (suppressed by NRS).