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Manus

Boy name · 17 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Manus: 17 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 4 births in 1974.

The name Manus has two distinct origins: from the Latin *manus* meaning "hand," and as an anglicised form of the Gaelic *Mághnus* or *Manus*, itself derived from the Latin *Magnus* ("great"), a name brought to Scotland and Ireland by Norse settlers and saints. Notable bearers include Manus O'Donnell, a 16th-century Irish chieftain and patron of the arts, and Manus Boyle, the acclaimed Irish traditional musician. While the name doesn't have strong place-name associations in Scotland, the root *Magnus* appears in locations like Magnus Bay in Shetland. In modern Scotland, *Manus* remains much rarer than its cousin *Magnus*, offering a distinctive choice that subtly nods to both classical and Gaelic heritage.

Boy 5 of 52 years

Peak year
19744 babies
Latest (2022)
#7033 babies
Total births
17since 1974
5-year trend
≈ stablevs prior 5y
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 1974 · 4
Births per year in Scotland. Missing years had a count of 2 or fewer (suppressed by NRS).