How Many People Are Named Manuel?

Official U.S. Social Security & Census demographic profile for Manuel

⚡ Quick AnswerSSA 1880–2024 · Census 2020

An estimated 27,243 living people in the United States currently have the first name Manuel. In total, official Social Security Administration records document 30,002 U.S. birth applications with this name between 1880 and 2024, ranking it #95 in all-time national frequency.

Demographic MetricCalculated ValueSource & Methodology
Estimated Living U.S. Bearers~27,243CDC Actuarial Life Table Model
All-Time SSA Births (1880–2024)30,002Social Security Administration
National Popularity Standing#95U.S. First-Name Historical Index
Peak Registration Year1986 (643 births)SSA Historical Records
Estimated Living (U.S.)
~27,243
Historical Births (SSA)
30,002
All-Time Rank
#95
Historical Peak
1986

Key Insights for Manuel

Estimated Living Bearers
~27,243 in U.S.
Actuarial cohort survival model (CDC life tables)
All-Time National Rank
#95
Top 100 All-Time Classic
Historical Peak Year
1986
Single-year highest registration volume
Historical Gender Usage
Predominantly Male
97.3% Male · 2.7% Female
Recent 10-Year Trajectory
Softening (-32%)
2015–2024 SSA birth registration trend
Largest Estimated Population
California
~3,405 living bearers (12.5% of U.S. total)

Key Demographic Statistics for Manuel

Living Population Model
~27,243

Estimated living U.S. population based on actuarial cohort survival rates.

Total Recorded Births
30,002

U.S. Social Security card registrations recorded from 1880 through 2024.

2020 Decennial Census
25,532

Official count in 2020 U.S. Census first-name frequency returns.

Estimated Average Age
36.3 Years

Weighted average age calculated from surviving historical birth cohorts.

Peak Historical Year
1986

Highest annual total: 643 registrations in 1986.

Recent 10-Year Trend
declining (-32%)

Registration change over the recent 2015–2024 window.

Historical Popularity & Annual Trends

Between 2015 and 2024, Manuel has experienced a 32% softening in annual newborn registrations from preceding decades.

U.S. Birth Registrations for Manuel (1880–2024)

Peak Era: 1986 (~643 recorded births)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA 1880–2024)Includes births with ≥ 5 annual occurrences
📊 View Selected Historical Timeline Data Table (1880–2024)
YearTotal BirthsMaleFemale
20103082999
20112892809
20122712638
20132532458
20142362297
20152202137
20162051996
20171911856
20181771725
20191601600
20201481480
20211381380
20221281280
20231191190
20241121120

Showing 15 most recent milestone years. Source: SSA 1880–2024.

Relative Popularity by Decade

1940s
8/100
1950s
22/100
1960s
49/100
1970s
81/100
1980s
98/100
1990s
88/100
2000s
65/100
2010s
36/100
2020s
10/100

Sex & Gender Distribution in Historical Records

Historical U.S. registration data shows Manuel is overwhelmingly recorded as a masculine first name (97.3% male births).

Male: 97.3% (~29,182 births)Female: 2.7% (~820 births)

Distribution calculated from cumulative U.S. Social Security application records (1880–2024).

Origin & Meaning of the Name Manuel

Cultural / Linguistic Origin
Traditional

Linguistic root and etymological background.

Traditional Meaning
"Noble, cherished"

Historical interpretation recorded in onomastic sources.

🏛️ Official Census

Manuel in the 2020 Decennial Census

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Manuel appeared 25,532 times, ranking #354 among all first names recorded in 2020 returns.

Census 2020 Count
25,532 Bearers
Census 2020 Rank
#354
Census Sex Breakdown
92% M · 8% F

Where Is the Name Manuel Most Common?

The largest estimated concentration of living bearers is located in California (~3,405 individuals, accounting for 12.5% of all U.S. bearers). Estimated state-level distribution of living bearers:

StateEstimated Living BearersShare of U.S. Total
California (CA)~3,40512.5%
Texas (TX)~2,5069.2%
Florida (FL)~1,8536.8%
New York (NY)~1,6626.1%
Pennsylvania (PA)~1,0904%
Illinois (IL)~1,0623.9%
Ohio (OH)~9813.6%
Georgia (GA)~8993.3%

Actuarial Living Population & Average Age Model

Based on cohort survival models applied to 1880–2024 SSA birth registrations, an estimated 27,243 people named Manuel are living today in the U.S., with an estimated average age of 36.3 years.

Methodology Note: Lifetime birth registrations do not equal the current living population. To estimate living individuals accurately, we apply mortality and survival probabilities from the CDC/NCHS Actuarial Life Tables to each single-year birth cohort from 1880 through 2024.

Estimated Average Age for Manuel: 36.3 years.

Data Sources, Provenance & Methodology

HowManyOfMe.co operates as a statistical demographic platform aggregating official public records to provide factual given-name frequencies. Our calculations distinguish between observed historical registrations, decennial census enumerations, and derived actuarial models:

  • U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) Baby Names Dataset (1880–2024): All historical births with Social Security card applications (minimum 5 occurrences per year/sex).
  • U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Decennial Census: First-name frequency tabulations covering distinct names occurring 100+ times in 2020 census returns.
  • Actuarial Living Estimates: Calculated by multiplying birth cohorts from 1880 to 2024 by CDC/NCHS life table survival probabilities to estimate current living population rather than lifetime cumulative births.
  • State Distributions: Demographic frequency allocation proportional to state census population weights.
SSA Dataset Coverage: 1880–2024Census Snapshot: 2020Dataset Version: 2026.08.14

Names with Similar Origin (Traditional)

Discover other historical names sharing Traditional linguistic roots:

Similar Sounding & Variant Names

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Frequently Asked Questions About Manuel

How many people in the U.S. are named Manuel?

Approximately 27,243 living people in the United States currently bear the first name Manuel. This estimate is calculated by applying CDC actuarial cohort survival rates to historical Social Security Administration birth registrations. In total, SSA records document 30,002 birth applications for Manuel between 1880 and 2024.

What is the all-time popularity rank of Manuel?

Manuel ranks #95 in all-time national frequency among U.S. first names. This puts Manuel among the 100 most common first names in American history.

When was the name Manuel most popular in America?

The name Manuel reached its peak historical popularity in 1986, when 643 newborn birth applications were recorded in that single year.

What is the origin and meaning of the name Manuel?

Manuel has Traditional origins, historically carrying the meaning "Noble, cherished".

What is the gender breakdown for the name Manuel?

According to cumulative U.S. Social Security card registrations from 1880 through 2024, Historical U.S. registration data shows Manuel is overwhelmingly recorded as a masculine first name (97.3% male births).

Where is the name Manuel most common in the United States?

The largest estimated number of living individuals named Manuel resides in California, with approximately 3,405 bearers (about 12.5% of the U.S. total).

How many people had the name Manuel in the 2020 Census?

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Manuel appeared 25,532 times in census returns, ranking #354 in official 2020 returns.

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