Manu - Name Meaning and Popularity -

Meaning of Manu

Manu is a compact masculine given name with dual cultural provenance. In classical Sanskrit it denotes the archetypal progenitor of humanity and the author of the ancient legal text known as the Manu Smriti; independently, in Spanish usage it functions as the familiar form of Manuel, itself derived from the Hebrew Immanuel (“God with us”). Pronunciation is straightforward—MAH-noo in both Spanish (/ˈmanu/) and Hindi (/ˈmɑːnuː/)—and it carries over into English without alteration. In the United States, Manu has maintained a modest but steady presence, ranking around 900th in popularity with 18 recorded births in 2024. Despite its venerable pedigree, it has yet to crack the top 500 in U.S. charts, a fact that may appeal to parents seeking a name of global resonance without widespread ubiquity.