Emanuel is a name of Hebrew origin that means "God with us". It is composed of two elements: "Immanu", which means "with us", and "El", which refers to God. Therefore, Emanuel can be interpreted as "God is with us".
The name Emanuel has a rich history dating back to biblical times. In the Old Testament, it is mentioned that the prophet Isaiah foretold the coming of a savior who would be called Emanuel (Isaiah 7:14). This prophecy was later fulfilled in the New Testament when Jesus Christ was born and his birth was announced by angels who declared him to be "Immanuel" or Emanuel, indicating that God was present among them.
The name Emanuel has been used throughout history by various figures. One notable example is Emanuel Swedenborg, an 18th-century Swedish theologian and philosopher who had a significant impact on spiritual thought and practice in the Western world. Additionally, several composers have borne this name, including Emanuel Bach and Emanuel Foaia.
Today, Emanuel remains a popular choice for parents looking to give their child a name with deep historical and religious significance. It is often associated with strength, wisdom, and divine presence.
The name Emanuel has seen a somewhat inconsistent but steady presence in the United States over the past few decades. From 1991 to 2011, there were a total of 65 babies named Emanuel born in the U.S.
In some years, such as from 1991 to 1994 and again in 2005 and 2006, the number of babies named Emanuel remained consistent at 5 births per year. However, there were a few notable peaks in popularity for this name: in 2002 with 9 births, and in 2007 and 2009 with 8 births each.
These statistics suggest that while Emanuel is not one of the most popular names in the U.S., it has maintained a consistent presence among baby names over time. The slight peaks in popularity may indicate periods where the name was trending or gained favor among parents for certain years. Nonetheless, Emanuel remains an uncommon yet timeless choice for parents looking to give their child a unique and distinctive name.