Manfred is a unique and distinctive given name of Germanic origin. It is composed of two elements: "man" meaning "man" or "person", and "-fred" which means "peace". Therefore, the name Manfred can be interpreted as "Peaceful Man".
The name Manfred has a rich history dating back to medieval times in Germany. One of the most notable figures bearing this name was Manfred I of Sicily, who ruled from 1250 to 1266. He was a member of the Hohenstaufen dynasty and played a significant role in the political landscape of Southern Italy during his reign.
Another famous bearer of the name is Manfred von Richthofen, better known as the Red Baron, a German fighter pilot during World War I. With 80 confirmed air victories, he is considered one of the most successful pilots in history.
The literary world has also been enriched by characters named Manfred. Lord Byron's narrative poem "Manfred" (1816) features a title character who is haunted by guilt and seeks redemption. The name Manfred was likely chosen for its Germanic sound and connotations of strength and power.
Today, Manfred continues to be a rare but intriguing choice for parents looking for a distinctive name with a strong historical legacy. It has the advantage of being easy to pronounce in many languages while still maintaining a unique and memorable quality.
The name Manfred has seen a wide range of popularity over the years in the United States, with notable peaks and valleys in its usage.
In the early 20th century, the name Manfred was used relatively consistently, with between five to fifteen births per year from 1904 to 1938. However, starting in 1939, there was a significant decline in the use of the name, with fewer than ten births recorded each year until 1952.
Interestingly, beginning in 1953, there was a resurgence in the popularity of the name Manfred, with a marked increase in the number of births. This trend continued through to 1967, reaching a peak of 37 births in 1964 and 30 births in 1963.
However, after this period of increased usage, the popularity of the name Manfred began to decline once again. From 1968 onwards, there was a steady decrease in the number of births with the name Manfred, with fewer than twenty births recorded each year until 2022.
Despite these fluctuations in popularity, the name Manfred has maintained a consistent presence in the United States over the years. With a total of 1454 births since 1904, Manfred remains a recognizable and unique name choice for parents looking for something distinctive for their child.