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love it

I love the name!

I love this name, but after Elizabeth Smart was kidnapped by that creep that called himself "Emmanuel" I don't think I could ever use this name.

I like the name Emmanuel a lot. (I also like the nickname Manny.) It makes me think of the actor Emmanuel Lewis, though.

I feel the same way. I like the sound of Emmanuel but it seems awfully religious to me. Oddly, other religious names like Mary and Jacob don't seem as religious to me because they've become so common that anyone could be a Mary or Jacob. I also dislike the nn Manny. Plus it makes me think of Emmanuel Lewis, not a bad thing just a connection. I'd use it as a mn though.

I like the sound of Emmanuel--flows very nicely. I've known a couple of guys with this name, and they went by "Manny," which I don't really like.

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Like you, I would be hesitant to use it due to the religious connotations. Common biblical names are part of mainstream culture, separate from their biblical roots (James, John, Sarah, Rebecca, etc.) The less common ones, though, have no other immediate connotions. Consequently, when I hear the name Emmanuel, I automatically hear the tune to the Christmas song "Oh come, oh come Ema-a-a-nuel, etc."

I like Emmanuelle as a mn for a girl (ie Ava Emmanuelle), but I could never use this name because I think of Elizabeth Smart's kidnapper who often used the name Emmanuel and its makes me feel ill.

I really like Emmanuel. I know what you mean by the religious implications, because I'm the same myself - not religious but with a liking for many Biblical names. However, the way I see it, you can view the Bible as a fascinating collection of legends without accepting it as factual or deity-inspired. After all, the vast majority of people naming their daughters Diana will not believe that Greek mythology was a factual, word-for-word account for what happened - they'll just like the stories.

I will be honest...I like it, mainly because I am fairly religious, not VERY, but was raised and still attend church on a pretty regular pattern. I like biblical names, especially those that dont get used all that much, as oppose to Paul, Joseph, Mark and so forth, Emmanuel is a biblical name that you dont see or hear every day, or any day for that matter. It is on my list of names I like, however, I dont think I will use it, because of the fact I like so many boy names, its just not as high.

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As far as your usage of it. The biblical/religious aspect of it doesnt matter to me. You could be atheist and I would see no wrong in using the name you like. People might assume you used it because of the biblical context, but I guess its up to you whether or not that matters a huge deal or not. If you love the name so much its at the top of your list, then use it and put it there. If you love it, but dont want people thinking you used it because of the religious aspect, then I guess it was your choice. whats more important to you?

I like it.