Manolito

Meaning of Manolito

Manolito, pronounced mah-noh-LEE-toh (/ma.no.ˈli.to/), emerges as a quintessential Spanish diminutive of Manuel—itself rooted in the Hebrew Immanuel, “God with us”—imbuing a formal name with familial intimacy. Its –ito suffix serves as a linguistic caress, reminiscent of the subtle grace Persian naming customs often bestow, where a single ending can transform a public emblem into a treasured confidant. U.S. Social Security data show Manolito hovering between ranks 636 and 671 from 1968 through 1977, peaking at fifteen instances in 1972—a modest presence that never threatened to trip up a GPS but suggests a steady resistance to fleeting trends. Literary associations, most notably Elvira Lindo’s irrepressible schoolboy in Manolito Gafotas, reinforce how the name can balance affectionate informality with narrative weight. In its blend of Iberian heritage, Hebrew meaning, and a touch of Persian-flavored nuance, Manolito stands as an emblem of understated warmth and enduring individuality.

Pronunciation

Spanish

  • Pronunced as mah-noh-LEE-toh (/ma.no.ˈli.to/)

U.S. Popularity Chart

Layla Hashemi
Curated byLayla Hashemi

Assistant Editor