Manuelita is a feminine name of Spanish origin and Hispanic tradition. It is the diminutive form of the masculine name Manuel, which means "God is with us" in Hebrew. The name Manuel itself is derived from the Aramaic name Immanuel.
The use of the suffix "-ita" is common in Spain and Latin America to create feminine diminutives. So, Manuelita literally translates to "little Manuel". This naming convention is often used to express endearment or affection towards the person named.
Historically, Manuelita has been popular among Spanish-speaking communities throughout the centuries. It was particularly prevalent during the colonial era in Central and South America. The name gained further prominence through figures such as Manuelita Sáenz, a prominent revolutionary leader from Ecuador who fought against the tyrannical government of her time.
In literature, Manuelita appears as a character in Gabriel García Márquez's novel "Love in the Time of Cholera". This has contributed to its familiarity and cultural significance within Hispanic communities.
Overall, Manuelita is a charming and traditional name that carries a rich history and cultural heritage. Its meaning adds a touch of spirituality, making it a meaningful choice for parents looking for a unique name with deep roots.
The name Manuelita has a rich history of usage in the United States, as indicated by the provided statistics on its occurrences from 1886 to 2005.
From 1886 to 1922, there were several peaks and valleys in the number of births with the name Manuelita. The highest peak during this period was in 1922, with 26 births. This suggests that the name may have been particularly popular among parents during this time.
After 1922, the usage of the name Manuelita began to decline steadily. Between 1930 and 1954, there were only a few years where more than 10 births with the name occurred. This trend continued until the mid-1970s, during which time the number of Manuelita births remained relatively low.
However, there was a brief resurgence in the usage of the name Manuelita in the late 1950s and early 1960s, with peaks occurring in 1959 (13 births), 1960 (13 births), and 1963 (13 births). This period represents a notable exception to the overall decline in popularity of the name during this time.
After 1972, there were only sporadic occurrences of the name Manuelita among newborns in the United States. From 1973 until 2005, there were only eight years where more than five births with the name occurred. This suggests that Manuelita was no longer a widely popular choice for parents during this time.
In total, from 1886 to 2005, there were 989 births in the United States with the name Manuelita. Despite fluctuations in its popularity over time, these statistics demonstrate that Manuelita has been a consistently used name in the country throughout much of its history.