Emmanuel is a masculine given name that originates from the Hebrew name עִמָּנוּאֵל (ʿImmanuʾel), meaning "God is with us". This name is composed of the elements עִם (ʿim) meaning "with" and אֵל (ʾel) meaning "God". It appears in the Book of Isaiah (chapter 7, verse 14) as a sign that God will protect the House of David, and was later interpreted by the Gospel of Matthew (chapter 1, verses 22–23) as a prophecy of the birth of Jesus Christ. In Christian theology, the name is thus closely associated with the Messiah and is one of the "symbolic names" used by the prophet Isaiah. Etymology and History The name Emmanuel is a direct transliteration of the Hebrew phrase ʿImmanuʾel. Its roots are ʿim ("with") and ʾel ("God"). In the Old Testament, the name was foretold as that of the Messiah. It has been used as a given name in England since the 16th century, in both the spellings Emmanuel and Immanuel. However, it has never been particularly widespread in English-speaking countries. The name has been far more common in continental Europe, particularly in Spain and Portugal, where the forms Manuel and Manoel are well-established. In biblical context, the name appears in two primary sources: as part of the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14 and as a direct quotation of that prophecy in Matthew 1:23. In Jewish messianism, the name holds a different significance and is not generally interpreted as a direct reference to a personal Messiah. The usage of the name Emmanuel increased among Puritans and other religious groups, contributing to its adoption in English-speaking countries, though never becoming truly popular. Biblical References The name is first mentioned in Isaiah 7:14: "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." This was set during the Syro-Ephraimite War (735 BCE), when King Ahaz of Judah was under threat from the kingdoms of Israel and Syria. Isaiah delivered this prophecy as reassurance that Judah would not fall, and the name served as a sign of God's protection. The Gospel of Matthew (1:23) references this verse, applying it to the birth of Jesus: "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us"). This interpretation is foundational in Christian theology, linking the name Emmanuel directly to Jesus Christ, considered the promised Messiah. Cultural Significance and Variants The name has spread across numerous cultures and languages. Notable variant forms include Immanuel (Hebrew), Manuel (French/Spanish/Portuguese), Manvel (Armenian), Emanuil (Bulgarian), and masculine forms Emmanuel (English) and Emmanouel (Biblical Greek). Feminine forms include Emmanuelle (French), and diminutive forms such as Manu (French) and Manny (English). The names have been particularly common in Catholic and Orthodox communities, as well as among Christians in general. Key Facts Meaning: "God is with us" Origin: Hebrew, from z im ("with") and ʾel ("God") Type: First name, primarily masculine Usages: English, French, English Bible, and many other languages