Manuela is a feminine given name of Latin origin. It is derived from the male given name Manuel, which is composed of two elements: "manus," meaning "hand," and "ela," a diminutive suffix. Therefore, Manuela means "little hand." The name was initially used as a female form of Manuel in Spain during the Middle Ages.
The use of Manuela spread beyond Spain over time. It became popular among Portuguese-speaking populations due to its similarities with other Portuguese names like Manual and Manoela. Today, Manuela is recognized worldwide, although it remains more common in countries where Portuguese and Spanish are spoken.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have been named Manuela. One of the most famous is Manuela Sáenz, a heroic figure from Ecuador who played an essential role in South America's independence movement during the early 19th century. She was known for her courage and determination, traits that have helped shape the perception of the name Manuela over time.
While not as widely used today as it once was, Manuela continues to be a beloved and meaningful name chosen by parents for their daughters. Its unique origin and historical significance make it an appealing choice for those seeking a distinctive yet classic name with a rich history behind it.
The given statistics illustrate the popularity of the name Manuela in the United States from 1880 to 2023. The data shows a varied trend over this period, with peaks and troughs indicating fluctuations in its usage.
In the late 19th century, the number of births with the name Manuela hovered around single digits, starting from 5 in 1880 and reaching a peak of 15 in 1892. However, it began to decline after that, dropping to as low as 39 in 1966.
The trend changed significantly in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with the number of births rising from 45 in 1988 to a peak of 96 in 1992. This marked a significant increase in the popularity of the name Manuela.
However, since then, the popularity has been fluctuating but generally declining. In the early 2000s, there was another peak with around 80-85 births per year between 2001 and 2004. But by 2013, this number had dropped to 57.
In recent years, from 2016 onwards, the popularity of the name Manuela has been steady but at a lower level than the peaks seen earlier in history. In 2021 and 2022, there were 76 and 84 births respectively with the name Manuela.
Overall, while the name Manuela has seen periods of popularity and decline over the years, it remains a choice for parents in the United States, with around 50 to 90 babies being named Manuela annually in recent times.