Manly Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Manly has its origins in Old English, with a meaning related to bravery and masculinity. It evolved from Old English through Middle English into its modern form. While it reflects strong traits associated with manhood, it does not have a biblical background. The name gained popularity in the 19th century and is now considered traditional, with a modern perception of strength.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Manly"
Pronunciation
/ˈmænli/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Manly is derived from the Old English word 'man', meaning 'manly' or 'brave'. It was originally used as a surname and later adopted as a given name.
Meaning
brave, manly
Language Evolution
Old English: Manlīc, Middle English: Manly, Modern English: Manly
Historical Usage
The name Manly gained popularity in the 19th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, as a reflection of the Victorian ideals of masculinity.
Variants & Derivatives
Manley, Mannly
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, the name Manly is seen as somewhat traditional and is less commonly used today. It carries an image of strength and masculinity.
Famous People
Manly P. Hall, a prominent Canadian author and mystic, Manly Beasley, an American football player
📊 Manly Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Manly Name Visualizations
✨ Manly Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 24 peak births in 1922
Geographic Spread
Popular across 1 US states, with strongest presence in North Carolina
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 6 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Manly"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Manly"
"Manly" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2134th of 7545 | 229 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2477th of 6773 | 173 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 4074th of 7552 | 67 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 8050th of 10718 | 17 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 14347th of 16616 | 10 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 24088th of 24088 | 5 |
Regional Popularity of "Manly" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
72.95% 1726th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
95.07% 2237th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Manly" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Manly"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Manly" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Manly" in the United States
The name Manly is most popular in North Carolina, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Manly has been stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Manly' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2134th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2477th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4074th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 8050th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 14347th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 24088th out of 24088 names. Discover how the name 'Manly' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.