Manu
Fact sheet
- Name
- Manu
- Gender
- Boy name
- Syllables
- 2
The first name Manu, which is gender-neutral, comes from Swiss German and is a short form of Manuel or Manuela, both of which are variants of the name Emmanuel, which in turn traces back to Immanuel. Translated into German, this name means 'God with us' or 'God is with us.'
What does the name Manu mean?
Manu is a gender-neutral name that comes from Swiss German and serves as a short form of Manuel or Manuela, both variants of the name Emmanuel, which traces back to Immanuel. In German, it is translated as 'God with us' or 'God is with us.' The roots of the name lie in the Ancient Hebrew words, where 'im' (עִם) means 'with' and 'immanu' (עִמָּנוּ) means 'with us,' as well as 'el' (אֵל) meaning 'the mighty one' or 'God.' In the Akan language, spoken by a people in Ghana, Manu means 'the second-born.' In India, however, Manu is interpreted as 'the wise one' or 'the thinker,' derived from Sanskrit, where 'mánu' (मनु) means 'thinking,' 'wise,' and 'intelligent.'
Where does the name Manu come from?
Manu is both a male and female first name, whose origins are of Ancient Hebrew and Sanskrit nature and carries the meaning 'God with us.' The name derives in Ancient Hebrew from 'immanu'el,' which means 'with us (is) God,' and in Sanskrit from 'mánu' (मनु), which means 'thinking,' 'wise,' or 'intelligent.' It is used in several languages, including German, Finnish, Hindi, Hindu, Indian, Kannada, Austrian, and Swiss.
How do you pronounce Manu?
The pronunciation of Manu is clear and rhythmic, with the name being two syllables. It is pronounced as 'Ma-nu' [ˈmaːnu] and begins with an open A sound, giving the name a certain brightness. The ending with '-u' provides a soft and rounded finish. This makes Manu appear friendly and down-to-earth – simple in structure, yet sonically present.
When is the name day of Manu?
The name day for Manu is celebrated on January 1 and March 25.
Popularity
In Germany, Manu is a widely used first name. Currently, it ranks 3,183rd on the list of the most common male baby names. The name reached its highest ranking in 2009 at 1,188th place. Over the last ten years, Manu has been given as a first name around 70 times, placing it 2,950th in the ten-year statistics. Between 2010 and 2024, it ranks 2,817th.
Nicknames & pet names
Mani / Manti / Manulito
Similar first names
Famous people
- Manu Attri (Indian badminton player)
- Manu Barreiro (footballer from Spain)
- Manu Bennett (New Zealand actor)
- Manu Bhardwaj (cricketer from America)
- Manu Busto (footballer from Spain)
- Manu Chao (musician)
- Manu Cornet (French musician)
- Manu Del Moral (British footballer)
- Manu Delago (Austrian composer)
- Manu Dibango (Cameroonian musician)
- Manu Guix (Spanish composer)
- Manu Hervas (Spanish footballer)
- Manu Intiraymi (American actor)
- Manu Katché (French musician & drummer)
- Manu Katche (French drummer)
- Manu Lanvin (French singer)
- Manu Molina (British football player)
- Manu Narayan (actor from the USA)
- Manu Rishi (Indian actor)
- Manu Rodriguez (Spanish basketball player)
Frequently asked questions about the name Manu
What is the origin of the name Manu?
Manu has both Ancient Hebrew and Sanskrit roots. In Ancient Hebrew, the name comes from 'immanu'el,' which means 'God with us.' In Sanskrit, it derives from 'mánu,' which means 'thinking' or 'wise.'
What does the name Manu mean?
The meaning of Manu varies by culture. In German, it is often translated as 'God with us,' while in the Akan language it means 'the second-born' and in India it means 'the wise one' or 'the thinker.'
How popular is the name Manu?
The name Manu is common in various countries and cultures, including Germany, Finland, India, and Switzerland. Its popularity can vary by region and time.