The Spanish name Manolito — a diminutive of Manolo, which itself is a diminutive of Manuel, which is the Spanish form of Emmanuel — debuted in the U.S. baby name data in the late 1960s:
- 1970: 14 baby boys named Manolito
- 1969: 9 baby boys named Manolito
- 1968: 14 baby boys named Manolito [debut]
- 1967: unlisted
- 1966: unlisted
What was the inspiration?
The TV western The High Chaparral (1967-1971), which was set in southern Arizona Territory during the 1870s.
The show featured a character named Manolito Montoya (played by Henry Darrow, born Enrique Delgado). Manolito was the brother-in-law of the main character, rancher “Big John” Cannon.
Manolito’s nickname Mano also debuted in the data while High Chaparral was on the air.
Source: The High Chaparral – Wikipedia