Emmanuel is of Hebrew origin, derived from the phrase "Immanu El" which translates to "God is with us". It is a unisex name but is more commonly used for males. The name gained prominence in Christianity due to its use as a title for Jesus Christ, as prophesied by Isaiah in the Old Testament. Emmanuel was also the name of several early Christian saints and martyrs. In recent times, the name has been popularized by celebrities such as singer Emmanual Jal and actor Emmanuel Lewis. It is a unique yet meaningful choice for parents looking to give their child a name with deep spiritual significance.
The name Emmanuel experienced a notable rise and fall in popularity over the years, with a significant peak occurring between 1984 to 1990, reaching as high as 22 births in the year 2000. However, from 2012 onwards, its popularity has decreased significantly, with fewer than 10 births per year since then.