Amanuel is a name of Ethiopian origin and it means "He who has made me". It has a rich history rooted in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. The name is often associated with Saint Amanuel, one of the nine saints revered by Ethiopian Christians.
The legend goes that Saint Amanuel was born into a noble family during the reign of Emperor Zara Yaqob (1434-1468). He refused to marry and instead devoted his life to God, becoming a monk. He was renowned for his miracles and wisdom, and eventually became the abbot of Debre Damo monastery.
The name Amanuel has been popular among Ethiopian Christians for centuries. It is often given to boys born on religious holidays or in honor of Saint Amanuel. Today, it continues to be a widely used name throughout Ethiopia and among the Ethiopian diaspora around the world.
In recent years, the name Amanuel has also gained recognition beyond Ethiopia. It has been adopted by other African countries and even by some non-African families who are drawn to its unique sound and meaning. Despite its increasing global popularity, however, it remains deeply rooted in Ethiopian culture and history.
The name Amanuel experienced a significant increase in popularity over the years, with a notable spike starting from 2018 onwards. Between 1987 and 2005, the number of annual births ranged between 5 to 22, with fluctuations but generally showing a steady incline. However, beginning in 2006, there was a more pronounced rise, reaching a peak of 40 births in 2018. Despite slight dips in subsequent years (28 in 2019 and 23 in 2020), the trend continued with another peak of 39 births in 2020. Although there was a dip to 24 births in 2021, it rebounded again to 23 births in 2023. Overall, the total number of births from 1987 to 2023 is 627.