Abel
Hebrew
“breath”
Mostly boys · Spelling variation of Emmanuel, Hebrew
“God is with us”
Say it em-AN-yoo-ulPronunciation may vary by region.
A little maybe, saved for later.
The story behind the name
Emanuel is a spelling of Emmanuel, from Hebrew elements meaning ‘God is with us.’ The single m distinguishes this form in writing while preserving the same origin and religious meaning.
A little perspective
Recorded US births over time
| Year | Category | US rank | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 574 | 513 |
| 2024 | Boys | 493 | 626 |
| 2023 | Boys | 484 | 623 |
| 2023 | Girls | 13,939 | 6 |
| 2022 | Boys | 465 | 662 |
| 2021 | Boys | 510 | 579 |
| 2020 | Boys | 410 | 723 |
| 2019 | Boys | 421 | 741 |
| 2018 | Boys | 428 | 712 |
| 2017 | Boys | 413 | 754 |
| 2016 | Boys | 364 | 915 |
| 2016 | Girls | 14,879 | 6 |
| 2015 | Boys | 348 | 979 |
| 2015 | Girls | 17,246 | 5 |
| 2014 | Boys | 331 | 1,026 |
| 2014 | Girls | 15,143 | 6 |
Rankings are calculated separately for boys and girls. Records below the publication threshold may be missing; gaps are not zero births.
No nicknames are listed yet. The name can stand beautifully on its own.
We haven’t added verified variations for this spelling yet.
Keep the possibilities coming
More names with a similar feeling or shared roots.
Hebrew
“breath”
Hebrew
“my father is joyful”
Hebrew
“father of multitudes”
Hebrew
“son of the red earth”
Variation of Hannah, Hebrew
“grace”
Italian and Hebrew
“air; song or melody; lion”