Manly

Word name

Manly Origin and Meaning

The name Manly is a boy's name.

Manly is an unusual masculine name deriving from Old English, literally meaning 'masculine' or 'resembling a man.' As a given name, it emerged during the Victorian era when virtue names and descriptive names were fashionable. Though uncommon today, Manly experienced modest popularity in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The name carries obvious associations with masculinity, courage, and strength. Some bearers may have been named after Manly Hall, a notable Canadian author, or in reference to Manly Beach in Australia. The direct meaning can make it feel somewhat heavy-handed in modern contexts, which has contributed to its decline. Today, it's an extremely rare choice that stands out for its straightforward meaning.

Manly Rank in US Top 1000

# 962 in the US

Famous People Named Manly

• Almanzo James "Manly" Wilder American farmer and husband of author Laura Ingalls Wilder; featured in several of her books
• Manly Wade Wellman American science fiction author
• Manly Palmer Hall Canadian author and mystic
• Manly Miles American zoologist and agriculturalist